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ONE OF HARRISON'S FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS PAINT, so it was perfect timing to promote for Casetify's new customized DIY Casetify Kids where you can turn your kids' doodles into one-of-a-kind phone cases. He had so much fun painting and the results were amazing. His artwork ended up looking like a dragon, which incidentally is his grandpa's favorite, so we gave the original painting to Johnny's dad and turned the artwork into a phone case, shown below.
More on my Instagram here!
FOR A WHILE NOW, I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH to be featured on Garmentory in one capacity or another (on a list of "Women We Love in Los Angeles" and "Moms We Love", to writing on their blog), and I've also been lucky to be friends with some of the girls behind Garmentory. They've been super amazing, and I was so happy to promote for their newest collaboration of Exclusives. I chose to style this beautiful set from Aurora Vestita (the Mexicali Rose Blouse and the Frida Skirt) which was dyed with roses(!) and iron to get the beautiful, natural hue-- available only on Garmentory. I'm in love and can't wait to wear the pieces with other items in my wardrobe as well. Shoes are from Loq, and the bag is from Catzorange.
Also, if you use my Garmentory ambassador link to sign up for an account, you'll receive $20 online credit! Get shopping!
Photos by Sisilia Piring
STARTING SUMMER OFF RIGHT WITH BLUE CASH EVERYDAY
SUMMER IN CALIFORNIA is the best and easiest time to eat healthy with all the delicious fruits and vegetables from local growers like the ones at our local grocer-- especially with a picky eater like Harrison. This week, we stopped by to pick up everything from avocados to donut peaches, pink grapefruit, and plums that were still warm from the sun. Harrison had fun picking up the different fruits and smelling them!
I'm so excited to be partnering again with American Express this summer. Using our Blue Cash Everyday Card, daily purchases like these are even more rewarding. We love earning cash back on the things we care about, including 3% back at qualifying US supermarkets, 2% back on gas and at department Stores and 1% on nearly everything else. Stay tuned in the coming months where I'll be sharing more from American Express.
I teamed up with Amex as a blogger ambassador for Blue Cash Everyday.
THIS POST FOR THE TALENTED REBEKAH J. DESIGNS is a long time coming. I love the simplicity and detailed pieces so much, so I'm so excited to host a giveaway for the Canal necklace from her newest Fragment Collection, as well as extend an exclusive discount to my Instagram followers and blog readers. Also featured are the bun pin and lava rock ring.
All you have to do to enter to win a Canal necklace in your choice of color is to go on my feed and like the post, follow both me @melissasonico and @rebekahjdesigns, and tag friends in the comments of the post. You can also enter additional times by commenting on this blog post with which color you'd like, along with your email! Ends Friday 7/6! Good luck. In the meantime, the discount code for 25% off her shop is 'sonico' at checkout.
Also, make sure to read on below to learn more about the designer herself!
How did you get started with Jewelry design? Was that always what you wanted to pursue?
No, but I always knew I was going to be an artist. My entire life from childhood until now has been one big art project. When I was in college at the University of Washington I got into a highly sought after metal-smithing class on a lottery. There was one registered student who didn’t show up, they put at least 20 names into a hat for her spot. I never win anything but that was my lucky day. I changed my major from inter-disciplinary artsto metals at the end of the quarter.
What's the process in making your pieces?
I’m always challenging myself to expand my processes for creating. Typically ideas are sparked by my response to a place we’ve traveled to, an experience, or a pattern in my daily life that I try and analyze. From sketches to concepts in paper it then becomes carved in wax from which a mold is made and then cast in metal. Last steps are soldering posts on earrings, and braiding the cords for the large pieces. The braiding is one of my most favorite parts, it’s really relaxing and super mobile so I can do it on the back porch in the sun.
Each collection has had a different creative process I used to drive the work. For the AWA Collection we traveled to Kauai after a really challenging and emotional year. The trip felt so soul renewing, I knew I wanted to harness all the feelings I felt into a collection. I dissected my favorite photos and broke down what was captivating into simple shapes. I cut them out in paper, taped them and layered them until I found something pleasing that represented the portions of my trip that changed me the most.
From sketching concepts to carving waxes, to soldering and braiding, I enjoy all the different processes of the handmade work. I employ a small family business to cast the pieces for me. They make the molds from my originals, inject the waxes, and finish all the metal by hand. Plus they’re right down the road from me so I can walk to pick up the castings - which I love.
The FRAGMENT Collection came from a need to process my thoughts on how fragmented my life can be. Between being a small business owner, a mom & wife, and having a side job my days can feel so scattered and fragmented. It was therapeutic to create a collection that helped me process the patterns and chaos in my daily life.
I have a home studio. We turned our 3rd bedroom into a studio. Originally, I had basement studio but I felt so disconnected from my family, plus it was so dark and cold all the time. Now I’ve got gorgeous south facing windows that fill the studio with warmth and light and faces the back yard where I can watch my daughter play. It’s also right off the kitchen so I can talk to my husband while he makes me dinner. ;-)
Favorite piece from the new collection?
The FRAGMENT Collection is my favorite collection to date. I love all the pieces but I think the Fold Necklace is the one that I wear the most. I also love the Canal Necklace. It was carved at one of our very favorite places, Hood Canal. It’s two sided and represents the way the tide comes in and out differently on each side of the canal. I’m almost always wearing the Wave Hoops too.
Other hobbies and interests?
I love my family time, a good meal, and time with friends especially when it’s outside. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most arrestingly beautiful places I’ve ever seen and I am so lucky to call this place home. We love hiking and biking and enjoying all the bodies of water surrounded by the mountains.
What do you do in your day off when you manage to have some?
A good day off starts by sleeping in late, snuggling with my family, followed by a good cup of coffee, then some kind of activity like yoga, a hike or a long bike ride, and to close the night with dinner on the back porch with a great glass of wine, our best friends and kids running amok - that would be perfect.
I RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH THE FLORAL DELIVERY service The Bouqs, which was the perfect excuse to celebrate the beginning of summer with my friends Karlee and Yvette. We got together at Yvette's house for some delicious sangria and a whole charcuterie spread, topped off with the most beautiful floral arrangements from The Bouqs. They deliver fresh hand-cut stems to you, and they arrive in perfect condition in just a matter of days. You can see more on my Instagram as well.
Photos by Yvette Goltiao!
