culture

Web Roundup

best of the web feb 2014

Welcome to a new feature! As I turn sarah kate style into more of a lifestyle blog, I’m going to be including an ever-so-slightly wider variety of content. Since I spend my fair share of time on the internet, and periodically find some pretty great stuff, I thought it was only the generous thing to do to share my findings with you (you’re welcome).

1. Flair // Ban.do has been one of my favorite brands for years, and they’re becoming pretty well-known now – plus, they’re expanding on the stuff they sell. Everything they offer is awesome (if you don’t believe me, check them out here), but right now, I especially love their flair packs, and I’m hoping to add them to my collection of ban.do gear soon.

2. Metallic Tee // I am a total sucker for Zara tees. I hoard them. This one is cute, metallic, cheap, and dons an inspirational message. There’s no reason not to buy it.

3. Cool Font // If you know me, you know I am obsessed with fonts. (Seriously, my idea of a fun Friday night is browsing font sites. Okay. that’s kind of an exaggeration, but you get my point.) Typically, I look for the perfect sans serif or pretty script fonts to use in blog collages, but I recently stumbled across this unique one – and I’m smitten. Download it for free here.

4. Cactus Piñatas // I don’t think I’ve encountered a piñata since I was about 8, but I think that has to change. I happen to be obsessed with cacti, which is why I was drawn to these – aren’t they just such a perfectly cute decoration? And they’re not hard to make, which is something I always look for in DIYs (I am supremely un-crafty).

5. Bright Wallpaper // You’ve probably seen the free computer wallpapers over at Design Love Fest (if not, prepare to fall down a rabbit hole of gorgeousness) – and the latest ones are awesome. I’m downloading them right now, and you should too.

6. Chocolate Cake // I have had a huge, intense craving for cake lately. In my search for something quick and delicious to fill the cake-shaped void in my life, I came across this recipe. Certainly not simple, but I really, really want to make it. Maybe someday.

7. Simple DIY // Another DIY. I have no need for a washi tape-covered box, but I want to make a bunch of them. This is for you if you’re in need of cute, creative present-wrapping ideas.

8. Perfect Shop // I found this shop while I was searching for magazines, and they have some really awesome stuff. Stuff I don’t need, but stuff I want nonetheless. Sigh.

9. F21 Branded Shop // Forever 21 has had its ups and downs. The past few years of merchandise have been a bit disappointing, but they’ve recently come out with a curated shop of cool brands – and I have to say, it’s pretty great.

10. Blog I Love // I find everything about this blog immensely appealing. I think it speaks for itself, so head on over and get sucked in.

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Goals for 2015

goals for 2015_2

I always like reading other people’s goals on blogs at the beginning of every year. And while I’m always quick to come up with a thousand ways to better myself, I usually take a week or so to refine my goals, balancing the list with some easier short-term ones and some longer ones that require a little extra dedication. Last year was my year of taking chances – which had mixed results, but it ultimately helped me make better/faster decisions I think. I’m not abandoning that mentality, but I’d like to focus more this year on making myself the person I want to be (oh, god, this is getting cheesy). But I really did a lot of reflecting in 2014, and I now feel so, so good about myself and my life. And then this year, when compiling a list of resolutions, I had a tiny epiphany – nothing novel – I realized that there will never be a perfect time to do all the things I want to and all the things I should do, so I just have to get on it now. And that means forcing myself to do some things that aren’t super easy, like staying on top of my work (I’m a pretty major procrastinator), because I know that’ll make my life so much better and easier. Likewise for establishing a sleep schedule. But other things are fun – like finishing Matchbook magazine’s novel and movie lists. It’s something I’m really excited to do, but it still requires a tiny bit of effort, in that I have to save some time during the week to work on it.

Anyway. Last year I had 14 goals for 2014 (haha, isn’t that cute) but now I’m just sticking to 10 – I don’t want too much on my plate and there are only really 10 things I want to do. So, I’m posting them here again, to hold myself accountable.

1. Finish Matchbook‘s novel (10/50) and movie (26/50) lists

2. Finish my gallery wall (here’s the wall now)

3. Finish the studio (hang up art and buy pillows + accessories)

4. Improve my posture

5. Organize my office and keep it clean

6. Establish (and stick to) a sleep schedule

7. Learn Swedish

8. Go somewhere new

9. Become a vegetarian

10. Stay on top of my work

 

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Things I Love: Cool Magazines

cool magazines

oh comely | Uppercase | Kinfolk | Sweet Paul | Cereal | Gather Journal | Oak: A Nordic Journal | Anthology | Trouvé

I somewhat recently became obsessed with Anthology magazine. You’ve almost definitely heard of it, and I remember a friend telling me about it years ago, but I only recently came across it again. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have picked up that my favorite (local) store is Trohv (in Baltimore, but they have a DC location too) – and of course, that’s where I found it. After pouring through it several dozen times, I knew I’d be a devout follower from now on, buying every issue the moment it came out.

Then, of course, because this is the kind of life I lead, I saw on their Instagram that this, 2015, is their last year. Just because. Needless to say I was crushed, my dreams of a thick magazine-filled world dashed. So I began hunting for similar magazines, and my search turned up some pretty great results. I went back to Trohv and grabbed a copy of Kinfolk, which I just adore, so I have pretty high hopes for the rest of them. But if you’re not yet reading Anthology or Kinfolk, I’d recommend you get on that!

I’d love to know – what magazines do you read?

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A Little Post-Holiday Reflection

post-holiday reflection

The end of the holidays always make me feel a little sad, because it’s my favorite time of the year, and I can’t help but think of how much will happen between now and this time next year. 2014 felt like it zoomed by, and between all of the good, bad and otherwise that happened, I think it was my favorite year yet.

I’ve been (inadvertently) reflecting on this year lately. There are the silly little things that are bound to happen – arguments, stress, falling outs with friends (and, like, a really weird stint as a barista) – but overall, the picture is good. I spent two amazing weeks in the UK, had great experiences, met wonderful people, and I’m finally doing what I love. But perhaps best of all, I’ve learned a lot –  a lot – about myself. Not that I’m done figuring everything out, but I’ve gained a much better sense of self and of what I like. For one – I really, really like being alone. I also really love keeping my environment tidy and bright and organized, and I like surrounding myself with plants and pretty things. I like to take time to read and go outside. And I’m learning to cut the things out of my life that cause me stress without feeling guilty, and I feel mentally and physically so much better.

But there are still all the things I said I would do this year, on my goal list – some of which I didn’t quite get done. But I noticed through the year that I had changed and not all the things on my list seemed quite so enticing, and other things came up that I’d have liked to add. But 2014 was my year of taking chances, and reminding myself of that periodically helped me in a lot of situations. So I’m re-adopting it again for 2015, and going into the year with a really good sense of what I need to do to have my best year yet. I know the only constant in life is change, but I’m in a really good place right now, and I’m set on staying in that place.

So, where does the blog fit into all of this? I kind of did a horrible job posting this year, which I think is just a testament to the kind of busy year I’ve had. And I realized a few months ago that I’ve somehow slipped into trying to make this blog something that I think it should be. But I’ve decided that I’m going to make sarah kate style exactly what I want it to be – that is, whatever I want it to be. I’m going to write about whatever it is I truly like, and not limit myself to the kinds of posts I’ve done before. I have so many ideas, and I feel so inspired and excited right now. I’m not too pleased with myself for previously making false promises of coming back and posting religiously, but now more than ever, I really want to make this blog something that I’m proud of.

That being said, I might be taking the rest of the year off to relax, rejuvenate and work on posts for next year. As always, thank you for your continued support. I’ll see you all in 2015. xo

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