Fader

Ombre is a french term used to describe the shaded effect, with colors graduating from dark to light. This trend is seen everywhere, and I can't get enough of it! From clothing and accessories to nails and hair! I'm more of a fan of the single color fades than the multi-color blending, but both are prevalent. 

   

Love this monochromatic blue dress from Saks, and all the bright fun colors these clutches come in!

This scarf shows a different blending technique from one end to the other. I think this yellow multi-colored ombre shirt would go perfectly with a comfy pair of jean shorts.

I love how the ombre technique is not only for fashion. Most of us have a large enough collection of nail polishes, that creating this look ourselves would be pretty easy! If your nail polish collection doesn't look like a crayola crayon 120 pack like ours, then you can just take your favorite color, and add a little more white to the polish for each nail. So many of the celebrities are creating this ombre look with dark roots and bleached-out ends, and I think Rachel Bilson pulls it off perfectly! It sure saves a lot of money on root touch ups at the salon.

-Whitney

Art Bistro

When I graduated from college with a degree in Studio Arts, a professor of mine introduced me to ArtBistro , it is the Monster of the art world.  The tips to becoming the artist of your choice are endless from children's book illustrator to animation.  A favorite thing of mine to do when I have some downtime is explore the portfolios of other artists and find inspiration.  This morning I came across this Graphic Design body of work by ExpressiveJ.  I just can't get enough...

-Meg

Good Day For America

Americans all over the country are celebrating the death of a man we have been hunting for a decade. President Obama says the death of Osama bin Laden has made the world "a better place." There are some pretty amazing pictures from across the country, capturing both this celebration and the remembrance of those lost in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center:

 

Lawrence, Kansas

Outside of the White House

 

US Troops watching Obama's announcement

Ground Zero

 

Time Square

9/11 Memorial Preview Site near Ground Zero

Source: NY Times

It sure does feel good to be an American!

-Whitney

Mashup Monday

Happy Monday and Happy May!

MYNDSET- Silvia to Ibiza (Swedish House Mafia vs Miike Snow)

MIKEY FRESH-  I wish (Pretty Lights vs Skee-Lo)

BLACK GLOVE- Take Me Over to Touch the Sky (Cut Copy vs Kanye West)

NERD KINSKI- Body Movin Wonder (Oasis vs Beastie Boys vs Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys vs Reel 2 Real)

MOVER SHAKER- Bicycle Swag (Memory Tapes vs Soulja Boy)

-Whitney

America in My Book

I thought this was an interesting and amusing map of the United States, from a Californian's perspective.  Some of the stereotypes are hilarious (and arguable).  We do have ourselves some dive bars in the Midwest, but not too many serial killers, we can thank BTK for that one! I think it would make a great conversation piece.

Source: etsy

-Whitney

Art Fair

This weekend is the Brookside Art Annual, April 29th-May 1st.  This is one of three that goes on in Kansas City and its a lot of fun because of the eclectic crowd that Brookside brings.  "The Brookside Art Fair is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality, convenience and has become a must-attend event for artists and art seekers alike."

link

Here is just a taste of the artwork (mainly paintings) that I saw last year giving you an idea of what to expect

Barnes Studios

R. Michael Wommack 

Michael Mckee

Check out the artists that will be there this year and hopefully you will find your favorites and some inspiration.

-Meg

8-5 Style

For those of you who have to dress "business professional" for work like me, know that suits are not the most flattering and feminine thing we like to wear 5 days out of the week. In my 2 short years in the real world I have discovered some ways to make the "business professional" suit or dress look cute and make you feel feminine, while still meeting office requirements.

Pair a plain black dress up with a blazer and a long necklace

Tuck in a colorful and comfy t-shirt, a fun belt with a black blazer and black pants

For Fridays, a skinny black work pant, with a longer white tunic with flats and a scarf still says you're in working mode, but ready for the weekend.

-Brooke