what i wore: polka dots

happy wednesday everyone! i hope your week has been good to you so far. today starts my 6 day work week...ugh. i am not looking forward to it at all but i gotta cover for my co-worker who is going out of town. wish me luck that i don't go crazy.

i wore this to work the other day. i love this dress but it wrinkles like crazy! i ironed it before work only for it to instantly wrinkle the moment i sat down. oh well. what can you do.

over the weekend, kelly-anne, gave me bride of frankenstein high lights and i really love them. they are fun and different. i dyed my ends to cover up the bleach but really could use a hair cute to just chop off the dead ends. soon, hair, soon. i can't wait for that day.

details:

dress: thrifted

top: uo

sandals: target (long time ago)

after these pictures were taken tom and i headed over to grab pho. if you have never tried pho, you better! it is sooo good and always super cheap too! i am a huge fan of soup, it always leaves you feeling warm and full in the greatest way. i want to eat pho everyday :D

xo,


cb

what i wore: spearmint

hello!

wow, i can't believe that it is december already! so little time and so many gifts to make! hope you are all ahead of the game and not like me waiting for the last minute!

this outfit i wore this last sunday to work. one of the great things about blogging is being inspired by others. katie from katie's pencil box did just that. my outfit was inspired by this amazing yet simple ensemble. i knew i had the right things in my closet to make it work. with such a small closet i can't go super crazy in the clothes department so one of my favorite things is to read blogs and get inspired by all the amazing creative people out there in hopes to rejuvenate my closet and get inspired without having to spend a bunch of cash.

plus since i ride my bike i want to feel cute and show others that spandex isn't what everyone should wear while on two wheels. i am also sporting my favorite papersparrow necklace that my sister-in-law bought me and as some of you might know i also have the narwhal pouch where i keep all my lipstick goodies :D

the day started off great but the moment i got off the train my back tire got a flat. i had no flat repair kit with me and the bike store on the way to work was closed on sunday, whats a girl to do!!! well i walked my ass to the closest bike shop after work and got everything fixed and now kiki is riding perfectly!

now to make a bike kit for myself!

xo,
cb

and then there were none

its already monday? what in the what?!?! well my weekend flew by! i want to say hi to all my new followers, HI! thanks so much for joining me and i can't wait to get to know you all!

well, i didn't get much of a weekend, but i did really enjoy my time. friday i worked instead of having the day off because friday night my work was having a holiday party and they wanted me to sell my creations so i totally jumped at the chance. here is a little peak into where i work. i really love the shop so much!

the discs are my co-workers art. these little guys are so cute and i just love seeing them on the wall every day.  kelly dreyfuss is her name and she does some really great work! once the party stated it got really crazy at the shop, drinks were flowing and everyone was having a great time :D

saturday tom and i woke up bright and early to go to my last craft show. it was soooo windy which made it really hard to ride our bikes but it was so nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine.

the wind died down and all went really well at the craft fair! since i had left my suitcase display at kelly-anne's house and we weren't able to go up and pick it up, my co-worker gave me her wood displays she had made a few years back and they worked out perfectly! they were really really great and i am so thankful to have such a great friend and co-worker.

after the show tom and i had a beer to celebrate and i popped into my favorite shop, pretty penny and picked up this sweet new cape! tom had spied it for me, he knows me so well! later that night i met up with my cousin and sister -in-law for sushi and breaking dawn, such a horrible guilty pleasure and if anyone cares, the books are waaaaaaay better then the movies! 

my new cape!!!!

 well, a nice weight is off my shoulder now. i am meeting with two other shops who are gonna carry my jewelry so i need to finish up a couple things for my meetings with them this week :D

hope you all had a great weekend. did you go to any craft fairs this weekend?

the sun must set

 *sigh* the sun is setting earlier, having to use my lights now on my way home and getting ready for the rainy season to set in. i am a california girl born and raised and already i am missing the sun kissed rides in nothing but a sun dress. days that take forever to end and that humbling feeling that tomorrow the sun will be right back where i like it to be, warm and bright and on my skin.

don't get me wrong, i love fall, the smell of the wet earth, the warm orange lighting, pumpkin pie and not to mention my all time favorite holiday, thanksgiving, but i often dream of a land where summer is eternal and rain is far and few.

where dreams come true, everything is possible and fantasy is my reality. what i have always loved about myself is my imagination. it takes me to some incredible places. i grew up a book worm, falling asleep while reading about far away lands and always wanting to be older so that i could explore those fantasies.

now that i am older i have realized that adventuring has taken on a different form not the fantasy i dreamed of and exploring has become internal. realizing that i can make my fantasies come true if i let them but in different ways then what i thought when i was little. i feel as adults we are told to live in the reality, what is real and true but i never want to grow out of this imagination that was given to me at such a young age. we live only once and i want to live it like a child with eyes wide open.

xo,
cb

sew september update 4!

 howdy everyone!
i am super stoked to show you my handle bar bag. i think it turned out even better then my first one and is the right size. the lining i bought was PERFECT and it holds it shape wonderfully, yay!

 instead of buttons i added strips of the floral fabric and used snaps for the closure. i need to figure out a better way to attach the bag to the handle bars. the snaps i think may not be as durable and i fear that they might unsnap going over bumps but i will have to test this bad boy out before i make any assumptions.

i am just super proud of myself for taking a pattern and changing it to fit my needs. i am gonna make a few more, for family and friends so that i can get better at making them, then i will be confident in having them in my shop! i have so much fabric that i am just DYING to use for these bags. fun pattern and color combinations. i think if i would allow myself i would sew 24/7 with no sleep just so i could get out all my creativity out. sometimes i feel like it is bursting from the seams or it comes RIGHT before i need to sleep... what is up with that?!?!

today tom and i are gonna go to the thrift store to scout out some fabric for my cape, we shall see what i find! the rest of today is going to be a work filled day; making owl earrings to ship out to one of my stores and trying to squeeze in some sewing.

**this weekend is our big bike ride, i am really excited and nervous but i know it will be fine. i would still love some good luck vibes sent our way for good measure, thanks in advance :D**

have a great weekend everyone!

xo,
cb

ring my bell

hi cuties! thank you for all the sweet comments on my last post :) making my appointment today so crossing my fingers i can see my tattoo artist soon!

i have a fun little video that i made this weekend. i love my bell. it is one of my favorite things about riding my bike. i am one of those riders that isn't afraid to ring her bell and let it be known that i am rolling by.

not only is a bell just so cute with the sweet sound it makes and the smile it puts on my face but it is also really important for safetly too. i can't tell you how many times my bell has helped save me from a crash. it helps pedestrians and drivers know that "hey i'm on the road, look out". it also really helps with people getting in and out of their parked cars and swinging their door open without looking. i have seen people get hit by swinging doors and it doesn't look like fun. i am a cautious person by nature, i have broken so many bones that being vocal while riding comes really naturally to me.

if i don't ring my bell, you will hear me say "on your left" which is a phrase you unfortunately don't hear too often in the biking world. it is a courteous gesture to let other riders that you are passing them and i solely, and whole heartily believe in treating others how you want to be treated so i am constantly letting people know i am passing them in hopes that the favor will be returned back, when it is i always thank the rider.

i have my eye on this red bell from public bike to adorn on kiki. i hope to be purchasing this little cutie in the very near future!

UPDATE: i did an artist interview with at true becoming, check it out! also the song on my video is by april march, poor lola!


xo,
cb

roll with the punches

 hope  everyone had a great weekend! we had some minor changes to our plans as the mister had to unexpectedly do an install for some freelance work he did, so it changed out plans friday. we had originally planed on going on a breakfast picnic and sadly we had to postpone it.

he finished the job and so to celebrate we packed a blanket, oj and some champagne and rode our bikes to a new park near our house. we had already eaten but it was so nice to sit in the sun and watch all the kiddos run around being crazy. the park was really nice, the weather was perfect and we had a really nice time just relaxing. the park is equipped with a train, a small petting zoo that seemed to consist of mainly goats and a merry-go-round.

i love discovering new things in our silly little town and glad we found this one. we will try it out again soon, i know!

after the park the mister had promised that we would do some summer cleaning and we did. it felt good to get rid of a bunch of crap that we haven't used and now the cupboards are clean and we have extra space. we still have to do our bed room and closet and bathroom but it won't take long. we will tackle that another day and i can assure you that the mister is stoked about that... psyche! only i, the queen of clean, get a bit giddy about throwing things away and having a clean house. i keep telling the mister, i am not a fan of cleaning but it is the end result that i love!

we then drove over to my cousins house and got out hands dirty and made ice cream! we were suppose to make frozen yogurt but nobody in our town sells sheep's milk so we had to made ice cream from goats milk instead. it tastes SUPER yummy but it is a bit icy. this is the recipe we used. i am not sure if we are going to use it again but it could have been that we left it in the freezer for too long. if anyone has a yummy goat or sheep milk frozen yogurt recipe to share i would love to see it!

oh and i am super excited to share that i got a bonus at work sooooooo, my tattoo will be coming sooner then christmas!!! i am calling them first thing on wednesday when they open to make an appointment...eek!!!!!! i am so giddy! i know my tattooer is a couple months out so i will have to wait in anticipation to get it but still i am super super stoked!

xo,
cb

Guest Post: Simply Bike

hi everyone! first off i want to thank you all for the wonderful compliments on kiki! i haven't rode a new bike in sooo long and it is so nice! today i have a wonderful bike lady to share tips on finding the perfect bike for you. she is super awesome and such an inspiration to me. she is 36 weeks pregnant and still RIDING! can you saw amazing!!! well s. had a great blog, simply bike and if you want to feel inspired to ride then i suggest you head over to her blog! thanks s. for a wonderful post! can't wait to "meet" your new nugget soon!

Hi, I’m S. and I blog about cycling for fun and for every day commuting over at Simply Bike. Like most people, I learned to ride a bike as a child and spent many happy childhood days riding around my neighborhood with my friends. But then I stopped riding a bike and didn’t rediscover how much fun cycling can be until about three years ago.  I wish I had gotten back on a bike much sooner because it’s so much fun, it’s a great way to built exercise into my day, and it’s made me appreciate my surroundings and community so much more as I experience it in a much more up-close and interactive way.

So here are my five simple steps to getting back on a bike if you, like me, haven’t given that two-wheeled contraption any thought since your childhood days…

1. Find a bike that is a good fit for you. I wrote all about finding the right size bike for you on my blog and it’s something I think very important to helping you feel comfortable and at ease on a bike. When I first started riding on a regular basis, I loved my cruiser because it was like riding a huge tractor of a bike. I felt stable and impenetrable on it. Once I gained more confidence, I transitioned to speedier bikes with thinner tires and a more aggressive geometry. But it was important for me to first gain my bike-riding confidence on a bike that felt easy and comfortable to me.

2. Pick easy routes around your neighborhood or on bike trails.  When I first got back on a bike, I felt too intimidated to ride near cars, in busy areas, or in high-traffic situations. I loved hitting the bike trails on the weekends and I also enjoyed easy rides to a coffee shop near my house that only required riding through quiet neighborhood streets. Choosing these kinds of routes allowed me to slowly built my confidence and work my way up to feeling confident in tackling any kind of city riding scenario.

3. Find friends who like to ride enlist them to join you on a bike ride. There is nothing better than a social bike ride. Friends, bikes, fresh air… bliss! Added bonus: when you ride with more people, your visibility on the road increases and you can feel some of that ‘safety in numbers’ thing.  If you don’t have friends who want to ride, look up social rides in your city (online) or ask about easy ‘fun rides’ at your local bike shop.

4. Remember that cycling is not an exclusive club! You don’t need a special bike, lycra, or any kinds of special skills or tricks. Any bike that fits you and has good functioning brakes will do. Most of the clothes in your closet will do. A basic understanding of starting, stopping, shifting gears, and signaling your turns will do. Don’t be deterred by ‘hard-core’ cyclists who speed by you in their high-performance cycling gear and with their expensive high-end bikes. There are many different kinds of cyclists out there and you belong on the road just as much as the rider does.

5. Remember to smile! The thing about riding a bike is that it’s fun. Yes, it’s great for the environment and yes, it’s cheap and financially sound. Of course it’s great that you can get a work-out in when hopping on your bike and, sure, it’s great that you’re doing something that’s ecologically sensible. But none of those reasons would be enough to get so many people out there and riding if the most fundamental of reasons weren’t true as well: riding your bike is fun! Just like it was when you were a kid. So hop on that bike and remember to have a good time!

i'd like you to meet...

KIKI!!!! she is all ready and is actually a bike! yipppeeee!!! i knew her name would be kiki a couple months ago even before i road her. my little nugget of a niece calls me kiki and it melts my heart every time she utters my name that i thought it a perfect fit for my new bike! plus i love kiki's delivery service and i like to think that my new ride is kinda like my broom ;D

couldn't leave this gem out of the bunch!

we took her for a spin around the neighborhood, thru the park, downtown to get gelato and iced tea and then back home. she rides a bit different than mary and it will take me a bit to get used to her but she is super smooth and her nice big tires make for a comfy ride.

i can't wait to get to know her and go on many adventures with her! she looks so pretty with her skinwall tires and her pretty brooks saddle and black leather grips. i want to add a pop of red by adding a brass red bell and then getting a baby blue water bottle holder....she is going to look so cute!

well...let me tell you! i LOVED my surprise post so much! you guys are so funny and it was really fun to read your comments....soooooo....without further ado...drum roll please.......the winner is....KELLY-ANNE!!! holy crap! kudos for thinking outside the box and being super creative!! if you have not read her answer check it out here. i laughed so hard upon reading this BUT after the judges (the mister & i) consulted we have disqualified her due to nepotism so we have decided to have two winners!! the 2nd winner is.....AMBER BLUE BIRD! congrats ladies! amber email me your address so that you can collect your prize! kelly-anne... you shall reap your prize once you squirt that baby out so get squirting! love you!

 anywho...have a great and safe 4th of july!! i am about to roll out to hang out with friends and enjoy some nice cold beer and blow shit up! well maybe not the later but i love saying that on this day!

peace,
cb

oh happy friday!

well since my birthday is tomorrow i thought it would be nice to do a HAPPY post and there is nothing happier then a birthday!!

i saw this chandelier floating around the blodsphere and just died! the colors of the jars are perfect together and i love the idea of upcycling!

pendelton is making a new line of home decor with my current obsession...navajo fabric!

 

my home state...perfection!

ron swanson.......ahhhh

 

my tattoos!!!!!!!!!! i usually get one for my birthday but my birthday cash is going to finish up "white lighting"!

 and last but not least..."white lighting" i can't wait to fix you up and give you a proper name!!! i am so ready for our first ride together!



well saturday is my big  28 and my mom is taking me to the horse tracks! i have always wanted to go and the race we will be seeing is a big one so it should be exciting! can't wait to get all dolled up and maybe win some money!!

have a great weekend!

xo,
cb

happy monday

happy monday! the mister and i had a great weekend and we are now on our way back home to sunny cali! it is always hard to say good bye to friends but i know we will see each other over the summer!

i wanted to share with you more things that make me happy :)

this bike illustration

our little bug, gladys! anyone who has rode in a bug knows the lovely purr they make...makes me smile :D

roller skates and i just LOVE these! i am on the hunt for some like these so if anyone knows of any...you know where to find me! one of my experiences on my to do list is go roller skating at a rink and what is cooler then bringing your own skates!

bike dates with the mister! and now that summer is on it's way there will be more of these! SUPER HUGE GRIN!

these awesome moth necklaces!

this man right here! i so wish i could have seen him live!! miss you freddy!


hope you all have a happy monday! i will be back with our ny trip!

xo,
cb