Dorm Dec Wednesday: Urban Outfitters

Recently it was brought to my attention the media surrounding an instance where Urban has reportedly copied an etsy artist.  While I am super saddened at this hit at the little guys, this post centers around the feel of this picture found on their website.  I outline that a lot of the items found in Urban can be found in your local thrift store.  I am all for supporting the little guy as I am one of them myself.

I hope this whole thing smooths over & until then, enjoy reading about the alternatives I've picked over the more expensive chains

 I love Urban's style. I also love that a lot of the things they have for sale can be found in your home or at thrift stores. 

It's great that they have these things but it's also awesome that you can collect other peoples memories while still achieving a really cool aesthetic.

source

For example, this image was on the Apartment section homepage at the beginning of the summer.

I love the eclectic collection feel.  I in fact have two non-matching curtains on my windows. I like things to look like they go together but not too matchy.

The posters on the wall are reminiscent of college days but this collage can totally be spruced up with printable art work, photos of friends, & pages from Urban, anthropologie, or free people magazines.  Urban has a great 'make it your own' aesthetic.

I love the idea of using a chair as a night stand & may even grab that idea for later.  Collect some from the thrift store, paint it with a chevron pattern & call it golden.

That bed frame is also easily a repainted brass bed frame from the thrift store.  I've gotten a really awesome quilt from the thrift store (that I washed a zillion times just to make sure) & I am sure you can find this mexican-dress print one at a discount store like TJ Maxx as well.

Throw in some different pillows that are in the same color scheme & you've got it!

Like I said, the cheap alternative to the Urban aesthetic is second hand shops.  

Keep more money in your wallet with out sacrificing style in your pad with a trip to your local thrift shop.

How do you achieve your favorite aesthetic?

Like I said before, look to these big chains for inspiration but but you can totally grab this aesthetic on the cheap & in a morally sound way.

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Why I'd like to work for Free People

Second to working at Claire's I would absolutely love to work for Free People.  You probably already know this from here, here, & here.  I adore Free People.

I'd love to be on there visual display team & create an awesome experience when you walk into the store.  But let me tell you, I'd love to be on their blogging team so I can turn leftovers into awesomeness. Just look what is available for them to create with:

images from here

They took this:

To this:

Can you believe those resources? Look at all those leftover quilts from one of their store displays.  All of them were antique from India.

I'd love to have crazy resources to make things with.  This DIY is perfect for embellishing a planner, calendar, or where you are stashing your goals for this year.  Pin fabric swatches or DIY lists.  Man, I guess I am going to have to go make some!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Make It Mondays: DIY Bangles

I have posted so much about bangles on this blog.  This week I am going to tackle making a few bangles from beads, string, wire, & crochet.

Here is some more bangle inspiration from three of my fave stores:

this one from Anthropologie would be fun to make on memory wire.

It would be easy to stack a few up your arm, they'll never lose shape! I think it would look great either solid or with multi colored beads.

This from Free People is stretchy.

I love the look of multiple bracelets, can you tell?

And this Best Friends Since ID bracelet from Urban screams gift to me.  

I need one for the first friend I ever met in college & another for a very dear friend I met shortly after.

I love them both to death!

I swear, if I don't buy it from Urban now I will definitely get this down the line from another engraving place.

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Visual Display Blog

So everyone knows about my love affair with Urban Outfitters & all their stores (Anthropologie & Free People) but I just found a great blog that is about the visual display of some of those stores.

via here

If you don't want a too personal blog post, I recommend skipping this next paragraph:

Recently I've been exploring the option of staying in school (sort of) after I graduate.  I was thinking about doing an artist residency or a work study program where I would continue my studies in art & learn & perfect certain techniques.  Originally, probably about 3 months ago, I wanted (and still want) to go into visual display for stores after I graduated.  I love the idea of having a steady job in a creative field, having a job that would actually mean something for my degree, & most of all having a place of my own.  I am sick of living in a dorm or campus apartment.  I want a place I can call my own & most of all, I want my own creative space.  I want this creative space so (1) I am able to have my own place to work, keep everything there, & am able to dabble in everything I am interested it & (2) Can finally live by myself, decorate how I want, & call it my own.  I told myself that I would be able to create art & explore my interests while I was working.  But now I am thinking if I got a job I'd not be able to devote time to my art & thus it would get put to the back.  I don't want to fall into a routine of work, sleep, work, sleep & end up doing so few things with my life but on the flipside I don't want the rigidity of school where I'd have to do exactly what was asked of me.  I am thinking that I will end up working then end up saying "ahhh, this isn't what I want to do! I don't have time to make!" then I'll go back to school.  I am interested in ceramics, in paper, & in crafting & want to have a space to explore it all.  I've gone to a few conferences in the ceramics & paper making field and love seeing the students who are in school continuing their work but I also love artists who have a "day job". The point of this paragraph is say that I am really stuck in a rut!  I am being pulled two ways & really equally as well!  I just stumbled upon that visual display blog & fell even more in love with the idea of getting involved in that.

Another of my favorite quotes is:

when faced with two choices, simply toss a coin.

 it works not because it settle the question for you but 

because, in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, 

you suddlenly know what you are hoping for

I'd do this...but I am not ready to know which one I am hoping for & I don't know if I'd like that as the outcome.

via here

Any way, advice would be appreciated.  What should I do?  Should I pursue both as if I could do both at the same time?

Ok, now on with the new awesome blog I found.  While stumbling around on the blogs I follow I found Ruthi Auda who, from what I gather, does visual display for an Anthropologie store.  How cool is that? This blog has renewed my hope for joining a team like this.  I love retail, I love customer service, & I love sales! I love being about to influence the buyer especially in visual display.  This is such a key part because it helps the customer see the items in his or her own home!

Please go check it out! Gather some great inspiration.

Also, I think I am getting sick! Thanks for sticking through this post even if you just looked at the pictures!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Free People's New Scottsdale, AZ Store

I believe I've posted some stuff on here before about my love of Free People, branch from Urban Outfitters.  It is my dream job to work for this company! I love the style, the stores, & the inspiration I get from browsing their stores & online.  I go their a lot when I am look for something to make fashion wise & love their blog for decor inspiration from their displays.  It is my dream to work on their visual display team!

Here's a bit about Free People:
Started in the 70's by Dick Hayne, Free People was nestled in West Philadelphia.  Targeting young people who sought unique clothing and an idea of freedom in what they wore, Free People became two stores & changed its name to Urban Outfitters.  Eventually demand rose for wholesale items prompting a split in the company giving new life to Free People.  Moving from its junior label, Free People became a mature brand catering to 20 year old women.  This is who they design for now offering fun & functional clothing for the confident yet free spirited woman.  (information pulled from here. Click to read the full story of Free People)

Here is the storefront of their newest store:

Gorgeous right? I know!

The point of this post is to reveal how amazed I am at every store opening.  The displays are amazing, the designs impeccable, & the decor is so do-able! I love that a lot of the displays they use in the store can be reinterpreted by those with a can-do & DIY spirit.  Take this photo for example:

Hmmm? what is that orange thing in the sea of blues & greens? It really stands out and looks so cool with the fabric woven through it.  Lets continue through the photos:

Awesome jewelery displays.  Lets scroll some more:

Hey look at that! More orange stuff....hold on

Is that what I think it is?? YES! It's orange netting/fencing! Now isn't that just the greatest thing you've ever seen? This is why visual display for Free People is my dream job!  So creative and innovative. I love it. Please visit this post on Free People's blog.  All images are copyright Free People.