Current Obsession: Temporary Tattoos

I don't have any tattoos.

I just can't think of anything I want permanently drawn on my skin.

But that doesn't mean I don't think they're cool. I really like looking at other peoples' body art and learning the stories behind each piece. Some tattoos I've seen are amazingly intricate and beautiful.

So, temporary tattoos are a way for me to rock some artwork without the commitment. And, they're actually in style. I talked to a Tampa boutique owner last month for a TBO Seen story about the trend after seeing it pop up over the summer. Check out what she had to say here: Temporary tattoos as fashion: Yes or no?

Since writing that story, I've been playing with the temp tats, and I have to say: I'm completely obsessed!

I started out small with a little flamingo on my wrist.

And I also tried an anchor on my right ring finger. You might have noticed it in this post: What's Black, White and Red All Over.

The flamingo and the anchor came from a sheet of temporary tattoos from Sub Pop that I got as a freebie with an online order from Urban Outfitters a couple years ago. I was saving them to use in nail art (you can apply temp tats to your nail the same way you apply them to your skin), but I decided they would be better suited to help ease me into the skin trend.

I love the work of fellow Floridian Anna Bond from Rifle Paper Co., and while doing research for the TBO Seen story, I found that some of her designs are sold as temp tats for Tattly.

It wasn't long before I ordered the set. Two tattoos of each design are included.

The Tattlys last between two and four days, and are easily removed with rubbing alcohol. I'm looking forward to trying out the last design in the set and finding more that I like (i.e. these from pepperink).

What do you think of the temporary tattoo trend? Have you tried it? Would you recommend a certain style or brand? Tell me in the comments!

This post contains Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Current Obsession: Petit Point Jewelry

My favorite time of the year in Florida is festival season, which happens roughly from late February to May.

There are some great events in the Tampa area that highlight music, agriculture and certain time periods. The Florida Strawberry Festival is one of my favorites--though not necessarily because I love strawberries.

The best thing for me is visiting with an 84-year-old vendor named Joke Vandergroef. Joke is from the Netherlands and spends part of the year in Florida. She's a talented petit point artist and brings her handmade treasures to the festival each year.

Her booth is the first place I stop. Every year I admire her beautiful creations and take a few home, and every year Joke tells me I shouldn't expect her at the next festival.

This year though, she seemed to say it with more conviction. She's getting older. It's more difficult for her to get around. She's so tired by the end of the day. No one cares about the type of work she does anymore.

I can't speak to her first three points, but I can argue with the last one. There is someone who cares. There's someone who adores her work. There's someone who enjoys talking with her, even if it's just once a year.

Maybe it's because she's the perfect combination of my grandmother and my great aunt. Maybe it's because her talent is enormous. Maybe it's because I think her petit point rings, necklaces and earrings make up some of the most unique jewelry I own.

Whatever it is, she's the highlight of the Strawberry Festival, in my opinion.

And I hope I see her again next year.

Here's Joke at work at the festival.

And here are all the pieces I've bought from her over the years.

Outfit Details:
Petit Point Jewelry by Joke Vandergroef (similar creations via Etsy)
Target Dress (old, similar)
"Voyage around the world" by Budi Satria Kwan via Society6
Target Shoes (old, similar)

Outfit photos by my sweet fiance, Matt; all others by yours truly

Current Obsession: Society6

Society6 is a site where hundreds of thousands of artists sell their work printed on a variety of products, and I have to say: I'm completely obsessed.

Original artwork is printed onto canvases, T-shirts, throw pillows, tote bags, phone cases, mugs, shower curtains and more. What a cool way to display, wear, or decorate with interesting pieces!

I first learned about the site through one of my favorite bloggers and Society6 artist, Kate Gabrielle of Scathingly Brilliant. She posted on her blog a few weeks ago about how Society6 had added wall clocks to its list of items.

I clicked over to the site and spent a lot of time looking through the artwork. I'm one of those people who wants to see it all, and with this site, that's nearly impossible. There's so, so much available, and I instead had to start searching for things I like. "Vintage floral" and "hot air balloons" were my top queries, as evidenced by the items I ended up buying.

I purchased three totes (from left): "Voyages" by David Fleck; "vintage 9" by kate gabrielle; and "Voyage around the world" by Budi Satria Kwan.

The little people in the hot air balloon in "Voyage around the world" by Budi Satria Kwan reminded me of Matt and I. :)

Have you ever bought anything from Society6? Which artists/works are your favorites? Tell me in the comments!

I am not affiliated with Society6. My opinions are my own.

Current Obsession: Hmong Embroidery

Actually, a more accurate title would reflect my ongoing obsession with this age-old textile art.

I've been collecting purses and bags made from what I assume is new and re-purposed Hmong embroidery even before I knew what the style was. The beautiful vibrant colors and interesting geometric patterns are what drew me in.

These accessories provide an instant color pop to any outfit. But what makes them truly striking is the story behind them.

According to HmongEmroidery.org, a site that exhibits Hmong embroidery pieces, the technique was traditionally used by the Hmong people to decorate clothing and make it bright and beautiful. It was passed down from mothers to daughters.

When the Hmong people lived in China long ago, they weren't allowed to use their own written language, so the women began disguising the symbols as embroidered patterns on their skirts, the website states. Over time, the language was lost, so the original messages can't be translated.

I love wearing something that has such a mysterious history!

Do you have any Hmong embroidery pieces? Tell me in the comments.

Outfit Details:

Hmong Embroidered Bag and Quartz Ring from Earthbound Trading Company

Urban Outfitters Dress (similar style)

Cubus Blouse (old; fashion souvenir from a 2011 trip to Finland)

Target Tights

Go Fish Clothing Shoes (old)

Antiqued Brass Hot Air Balloon Steam Punk Necklace from Etsy shop DreaminSteam

Francesca's Earrings (in store only; similar at The Silver Seahorse)

Outfit photos by my sweet fiance, Matt

This post contains Urban Outfitters affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you click on them and make a purchase.

Current Obsession: Hand Embroidery

I always appreciate the talents of others, but I tend to appreciate the talents even more if I don't possess them.

I have a friend who knits super cute booties for cold Finnish winters that have amazing scallop details around the ankles. Another friend is a whiz at event planning and always thinks about unique décor and details to match a theme. (Check out her blog here: The Life of a Modern Day Wife.) I can't do anything with yarn, and I haven't hosted a party in years, so I'm spellbound when I see my friends' talents at work.

It's the same with my current obsession: hand embroidery. The way crafters fashion yarn, ribbon and thread into beautiful works of art is so intriguing to me.

A few of my Christmas presents were items that featured beautiful hand embroidery, so I thought I'd share them with you. What talents of others do you most appreciate? Tell me in the comments!

This one-of-a-kind vintage purse was my favorite gift from my fiancé. It came from The White Pepper, an Etsy shop that features cute mid-century items.

I love the idea of embroidery as jewelry. I put these rings on my wish list, and my future mother-in-law got them for me!

The gray ring is from Maria Cecilia of Mum's Touch, an Etsy shop that specializes in adorable fabric creations. The French knot is my favorite embroidery stitch.

The yellow rose ring is from ConeBomBom, an Esty shop that specializes in embroidered jewelry. My future mother-in-law loved this ring so much, she had the shop owner, Jess Deg, make one for her, too!

This unique ring isn't technically embroidered. It's a yellow button covered by a piece of embroidered lace. Libby Chick, owner of Etsy shop BlondeChick, made a few of these rings but because of the placement of the lace overlay, no two were alike.

 I'll definitely be working all of my new hand embroidered pieces into my 2014 wardrobe!