September Sponsors

If you want to know why this group of sponsors is my favorite group yet, look here for the cause they are supporting as a sponsor :)

So without any further introduction here are my wonderful, inspiring sponsors... enjoy.

Lauren Nygard Photography:

Hello everyone!

My name is Lauren Nygard and I'm a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Oceanside, California. I am SO excited to be one of Samantha's sponsors this month! Not only is her blog super fun and inspirational, but I was stoked when I found out that she's donating the proceeds to juvenile diabetes research. I'm a type 1 diabetic too and I really appreciate her generosity! :)

I have been interested in photography since high school, but got serious about it after I finished grad school. I love being able to make people feel beautiful, capture special moments among loved ones, and create memories that will last! Seeking out fun textures and colors has become one of my favorite hobbies, as I'm always on the lookout for new spots to shoot. My background is in architecture, which shows through in my photography.

Besides my professional portraiture work, I keep a constant journal of personal photography projects which helps me to continue to improve my craft. On November 13, I will be showcasing some of my personal work at the Green Scene Gallery at Zagrodnik and Thomas Architects in San Diego, CA. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to stop by, say hi, and let me know that Samantha sent you! ;) Check my website for details (coming soon)!

Additionally, if any of you are in the San Diego area and are looking for a portrait photographer, feel free to contact me using the form on my website. Mention Indie and Chic and I'll take $50 off your session fee! 

ArtifactsNRelics: Michael K.

I like to describe my work as Visual Tactile and Emotional. All coming together for a consistent feel. Taking something visually old but reconstructed into something useful..

I love working with materials that can be up cycled or re purposed, the more unique they are the better. I use both new and re purposed pieces together for many pieces. I search out Items that will lend themselves well to my overall design and prefer materials that are less mass produced, when possible.

I find inspiration can come from many sources, music, design, art, sometimes it is as simple as a crumbling wall or a pile of junk, many times I just stare at my pile, of supplies

Many times for days, until they tell me what they want to be.

I strive to craft items that say the person who wears them is a unique as the items they choose to wear, or have around them.

There is no lack of places or items for people to spend their hard earned cash on, so I feel particularly honored when someone chooses one of my creations.

Sunday Morning Sugar: Malori

I’m Malori and I blog over at SundayMorningSugar.Blogspot.Com.  I’m 19 and I go to art school full time in Chicago.  I’m inspired by my beautiful city and I’m happiest when I’m creating something.  I love to cook, knit, and sew and I sell some of my creations in my etsy shop, Jacques and Jill.  

I’m a really laid back lady and my favorite nights are those spent in my wonderful apartment with a great movie, some fashion magazines, and a craft.  I’ve got big plans for my future but for now I’m just loving every minute of the ride.  Be sure to stop by my blog and say hello!

Mizdarlin : Wendi

 

I am a craftsperson first and foremost; been making things since I was a small child, and selling my creations for 30+ years at craft fairs and Farmer's Markets, and now, online..

I am currently obsessed with crochet, but who knows what the future brings?  As long as I can continue creating with my hands, I'll be happy..

Thanks for this opportunity!

 

Choconaut: Bethany

 

Hi. My name is Bethany, and I live with my boyfriend and 2 birds in a sort of small town in Kentucky. I am a college student who loves to create! I love sewing, sculpting, baking, drawing, kayaking, bike riding, going on adventures in the woods, and I really like squids. Haha. You can find me over at my blog. I'm glad I got to be a part of Samantha's blog this month, and I'm so glad I could help out with her donation to Juvenile Diabetes.

 

MommyHolly: Holly

 

My name is Holly and I am a 27-year old single mommy to my sweet little six-year old son, Andrew.  I am happily awaiting the beginning of nursing school, and in the meantime have built up my Etsy business into something that I am so very proud of.  Making all sorts of paper goods makes me extra-happy.  I love to make handmade greeting cards, gift tags, and of course, a lovely line of paper cutouts for all sorts of occasions! :) Visit my blog here.

  

 

So thanks again you guys, we raised $61 dollars for Juvenile Diabetes and I couldn't have done it without you.

 

**If you are interested in being a Sponsor for October please e-mail me indieandchic@yahoo.com , not only are you able to advertise your blog or handmade business but you can sleep well knowing you helped out a college student :) 

Shop Update - Bobby Pins

So I've been really busy the last couple of days creating bobby pin sets. It's been really fun mixing different flowers and colors around to create the perfect sets. My friends LOVE to help with this part and I'm glad for the fresh eyes and input. If you purchase a set this week message me with the code: BLOG and I'll refund your shipping, non- US/non-Canadian buyers I'll refund the half :)

Let me know which combo from my shop you like the best :) You can find them all here.

Just Messing Around...

Hey Everyone,
Just playing around with my self-timer yesterday in my state of boredom. My collage wall is almost full, I'm wanting both sides to meet soon :)

I also played around with how I'm going to do my hair for a wedding I'm in next weekend. I'm doing my own hair, because I don't have $60 to spend on the hair dresser there. This is the first wedding I've been in since I was 2... and I had to be dragged down the aisle then, hehe. The wedding is in New Hampshire and is for my mom's godchild; I still can't believe she asked me to be a bridesmaid... eek! So yea below is the hair style I'm going to do... it's a braided headband type deal. It pulls back my bangs so I don't have to worry about them having a bad "bangs" day, haha... it would be just my luck.

xoxo

giveaway winner

this giveaway made me so happy, I loved reading all your comments :)

I hope Marcell brought a smile to your day. love you guys!

Housekeeping...

School, life, unpacking, coordinating... it is chaos over here! Here are some snipets of my piles to sort through... there is no method right now haha.

Hoping I can get this all sorted out this weekend, haha.

In other news, I'm going to try and do a 365 like my friend Kara... days at my desk. Here is yesterday, you guys should play along as well.

(1/365) : paint project, doodles, songs to download, my lyric/art journal

ALSO!! Don't forget to enter the giveaway :) I've got some awesome goodies to giveaway from my shop including some headbands, rings, and also some craft supplies :)

Marcel the Shell + a giveaway

Just found this video and I love it. Watch it, and leave your favorite line from the movie. I'll pick a winner :) I have some goodies from my shop I need to purge!

I did it.... and survived!

I made it through the 3 hrs of sitting at my table in the student center! I was so nervous at first, but it went well. Lots of people stopped and thought it was so cool I made all the earring and rings by hand. We are returning tomorrow for a few hours as well.

It was a good day :)

Sharing and Being Brave

My best friend sent me this the other day, I love it. I hope you do too. Today is a BIG day! I'm setting up a table to sell my etsy store items in our student center. This is part of my Simple Goals : share. I'm so nervous, but also excited. Laura and I spent all last night making cute new headbands, eye masks, fabric necklaces and more. Plus I'll have all my rings, earrings and other from my store Indie and Chic. I'm hoping the response is positive and it gives me a small idea of what Renegade will be like!!



love you all! I'll send a  booth photo via my twitter ;)

Dorm Room (the beginning)

this is my dorm room right now... totally a mess and not finished, but it will be fun to see the progress.

the plywood art I made this summer. more info about that on this blog post. I also cut out hearts from IKEA catalogs.

My dresser and mirrors. I hung my jewelry again this year, it worked so well last year. The print is from Elise Joy's etsy shop.

my craft desk! it's nestled in the corner of my room and I have a bookshelf right behind my chair that holds all my supplies. Last year I kept all my supplies in my closet and never got them out. Hoping I'm much more crafty this year with all this space.

a small photo collage I made from photos I have taken and never scrapped about. I also have a few of Elsie's prints she has slipped in some orders as extras.

Spence bought me this Exit sign a few days ago at an antique shop. I love it! It's super heavy, but we rigged it in the middle of my windows.

So that's it for now.... not the cutest room yet, but it's getting there. I'm really busy with school stuff and then etsy shop things. I'll post about that later this week :)

If anyone has some cute ideas for things to cover a huge white wall, let me know. I'm thinking I might want to do a quote really large, so if you have seen anything like that I'd love the link :)

xoxo

oh and if you entered the giveaway from Choconaut, the winner was drawn so check out the post :)

Transitions...

Currently...

I am missing Washington... the routine of a 9-5 internship and with no homework and tests. I'm not settled here (Wisconsin) yet. I wish I was better at transitions, but I'm not. I don't feel nested so to say... weird I know. I'm just ready for everything to have a place and have control over at least my room.

I did however get a legit craft corner put together and slightly organized. I'll share photos of my dorm tomorrow!!

Oh and the new season of Always Sunny starts Thursday!!! I cannot wait, that show makes me so happy.

I've missed you guys so much, I promise a week of amazing posts to make up for my lack of presence lately.

xoxo

Sponsor Giveaway! from Choconaut

As you guys might know, all the sponsors on the right are participating in a September Sponsorship with a Cause. All the money from sponsors is going to a tribute donation in my friend (boyfriend now) Spence's name. You can read full details here!

So when Bethany from Choconaut approached me about doing a giveaway I was more than excited. Her shop is so adorable and full of very cute accessories. Take a look around in her shop you won't be disappointed.

Today Bethany is offering up one of her adorable Batman Totes... perfect for groceries, books, gym clothes or your everyday bag.

Let's make this fun, tell us who your favorite action hero is and why and you'll be entered into the drawing.

For extra entries: just leave a separate comment for each
-follow her blog
-twitter about the giveaway (use #indiechic)

1, 2 , 3 GO! Hope you guys have a GREAT weekend!!! Winner will be drawn Monday at 7:30am.

1st Day of Classes

today I had my first day of school and an 8 a.m. class. I took a cup of tea and it wasn't too bad :)

I have 3 more classes today, next is Eco-Feminism, pretty excited for this one. Then I'm off to Social Movements and Accounting. I have some odd classes since I only need like 12 more credits to graduate. I could have finished in 3.5 yrs but I wanted to get the full 4 year experience. I'm not ready to say goodbye in December. 

After classes I drive to Duluth to pick up Spence (the boy)! He is visiting for a few days, I'm really excited to see him and show him around the campus. We are having a huge campus party this weekend.

... speaking of parties my birthday was amazing! Thanks for all the kind comments and twitters, I love you all so much!! My birthday was super low key, I didn't do anything that special. I was actually not planning on going out when my friends kidnapped me and forced me to attend this campus party. It happens every year the day the freshmen arrive and people by kegs and hangout in the woods by our campus... I wasn't that interested at all. But my friends MADE me go and as I was walking down the hill into the clearing, the whole party (500 people) started singing Happy Birthday. It gave me chills and even though I usually hate the birthday song it was a magical moment. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends, I mean they forced the whole freshmen class to care about my special day.

Okay, enough rambling. How was your long weekend?

22 at twenty-two

I really wanted to do this for myself, as I have seen it on other blogs. This is a big year for me, I graduate and will become part of the "real' world. I have lots of goals, big and small... so here they are in true Elise fashion.

 so there it is. My little list to inspire me to do new things in the next year. I really can't believe I'm 22, I still remember turning 16, 18 and 21 like it was yesterday. Birthdays for me are way more reflective than things like New Years, not sure why.

Okay enough babble. I'm off to enjoy the one day where it is all about me, and don't tell my mom I just admitted that only one day is dedicated to that ;)

I'm HERE!

7 a.m.

Wow! I feel like I have been MIA for so long... thanks to Kara, Justine and Lindsay for spicing up my blog while I was gone. I'll draw a winner from Lindsay's giveaway later today, so go ENTER :)

So we drove from Washington to Wisconsin in about 2.5 days. We drove straight through the night at one point and were so tired when we arrived back at school. It was all I could do to unload my car and take a shower. BUT then friends came by and talked me into going out to a party, and I'm feeling so sentimental about this being my last year of college that I just went. It's part of my No Regrets Senior Year and Simple Goals :) I was in bed by 11:30pm though, hehe.

So here is a video and a little sneak into our road trip. There was lots of car dancing, spray painting t-Rex's at our stops, and car kayaking.... epicness!

Justine from Here We Go

This is the last, but not the least, guest poster for the week. I should be traveling through Minneapolis tomorrow and arriving Home, college, around midnight tomorrow. Full details here... but enjoy Justine's post and go check her out, she's really inspiring. 

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Hi everyone, this is Justine from Here We Go! 

I am so excited Samantha asked me to guest post, she is one of my favorite bloggers! 

I am a 20 year old student, gf, sister, blogger, crafter, dreamer, daughter and friend. I love dreaming up new and exciting ideas, such as Secret Pals which is an online or penpal way to meet new people, and make someones day. And also, Creative Juice which is a printed Zine, that will be sent to your front door! Its full of DIY’s, features, recipes, etc.

I am also in love with all things typography! Here is a font I am loving at the moment:

Isnt it cute?

Find it FREE HERE.

I have a favorite font Friday post every Friday, come by and let me know if you used it!

Thanks guys!! 

<3

 

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Thanks Justine for being a guest poster, you are so awesome! 

Lindsay from Pixies and Bears + Giveaway

Hey everyone! Here is your 2nd guest poster of the week, Lindsay :) She is amazing! If you are wondering where I am click here for more details. And thanks to Lindsay for sharing this yummy recipe!

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Hi!! My name is Lindsay from Pixies and Bears. I am so happy to be guest-blogging on Samantha's blog. I thought I would share a recipe that is one of our family's favorites and have a giveaway!!

BBQ Pork Sandwiches
**This cooks in a 3-5 quart crockpot**

Ingredients:
1 (14oz) can beef broth
3 pounds boneless pork ribs
1 (18oz) bottle of BBQ sauce (I use brown sugar and maple flavor)
hamburger buns

Directions:
1. Pour can of beef broth into slow cooker, and add boneless pork ribs. Cook on high heat for 4 hours, or until meat shreds easily. Remove meat, and shred with two forks. It will seem that it's not working right away, but it will.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Transfer the shredded pork to a pan or iron skillet, and stir in BBQ sauce. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Also, I would like to GIVEAWAY a Sponsor spot on my blog! Your blog button will be posted for the entire month of September. All you have to do is comment with the answer to this question.
If you had one wish, what would it be??
xoxo,
Lindsay

**winner will be drawn on Sept 3rd at midnight central time**