Fly

Link of the Day

Hot Shoes

These Moschino Cheap & Chic platform sandals are too cute! I especially love the yellow and metallic ones, which is why I had to share the angled AND profile view. Click here to see more or to treat yourself to the fabulousness.

Love, Love, Love!

Some more goodies I love...

1. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can rock these cute little wedges from Seychelles   2. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this album from Kate Nash. It's been on heavy rotation since I got it last week.  3. My mom bought this line of face creams, cleanser, and toner for me as a little birthday gift. I love how moisturized and fresh my face feels after using them all together; Annemarie Borlind.  4. These bite-sized ginger snap cookies are serious trouble. I eat way too many in one sitting, but they're so good, especially when you bite into one that has a nice little chunk of ginger. YUM! Triple Ginger Snap Cookies from Trader Joe's   5. Great resource for rich Victorian patterns; Victorian Pattern and Design.   6. This book is great for you type fanatics, including me; New Vintage Type.

Link of the Day

Andrew Holder

I love these graphic illustrations from Andrew Holder.

Duro Olowu

Beautiful patterns and colors in the most recent collection of designer, Duro Olowu.

Link of the Day

Fruit Baskets

Fun crocheted fruit baskets to hold candy, nic-nacs and of course fruit! Baskets by My Summer Playground.

Cool Collage

I really dig these panoramic collages by Technicolor. See more work here.

Obama

I was driving down Broad Street here in Philadelphia and saw this poster on a bus shelter. I must say seeing it in such a large scale in all it's bold and inspirational glory gave me goosebumps. I think it's incredible how Obama's message is even inspiring some great poster designs. Poster by Shepard Fairey at Obey.

Link of the Day

fun book idea

Fly Girl of the Week

Who? Jean Roat AKA Crystal Kini, 37
Where? Suburbs of Philly. Born here, and lived here most of my life!
What do you do? I do all kinds of artsy and crafty things!  I'm a Tribal Style Belly Dancer and I design and make Bellydance accessories and costume pieces including my exclusive line of Interchangeable costuming accessories... Clippy Bits (they are fun for non-dancers too... check them out www.crystalkini.com).
One day a week, you'll find me in front of a quilting class teaching people who are older than I am! It's fun to show them all the in's and out's of this diversified fiber art! Traditional or Art quilts... doesn't matter – they can all be funky! It also gives me a feeling of connectedness with women of that past. I
coordinate a monthly sewing group that makes quilts for kids in need, every month I design a quilt and cut about 30 quilt kits... our fabulous quilters sew them up.  They are distributed to children in hospitals, in the 'system' and anyone who needs them! I am the primary in a quilt making business.  www.quiltmasters.net. We are a cooperative of woman who make custom quilts... Ask Andrea about our quilts... she has one!! ;-) In addition for fun I've been known to pick up some yarn and play with it... I've designed a few loom knitting patterns, knit a few sweaters, and crocheted a bit! But, most importantly... I'm a mom and I am guiding my children's young minds.  The greatest creation - children.
What inspires you? OH... Inspiration comes from everywhere.  It could be the colors of the sunset or a book of ancient architecture; a piece of fabric or a new yarn can inspire me!   I got into the yarn arts because of one skein of yarn that was on clearance!  I never had an interest before that... but from that one skein, I had to learn!  I learned how to crochet, knit and loom knit all in one week!  I had to use that yarn- I ended up making a sweater out of it (and 14 of it's sisters- gathered from 3 different stores!).  Since that point... many other yarns have inspired me too. Sometimes inspirations become a compulsion...I just have to make it.  It gives me so much happiness to create unique things...designing is my primary joy (for now). Inspiration can also come from the desire to see how 'it' will turn out-whatever 'it' may be.  It's exciting to see how something will work up in a design and the surprise when it's different from what you expected, yet still awesome!
Why are you fly? I'm fly because I can't be held down. I just have to do things that compel or inspire me.  I have always lived by Nike's slogan 'Just do it' (even before it belonged to them!).  I follow my heart and my gut and it seems to work for me.
Advice: Follow your dreams... They will lead you to where you should be!  Find your confidence and surround yourself with those who are confident, as well as supportive of your confidence.  You can do whatever you want if you put your mind in it. I know it sounds so cliché ... but it's true- REALLY!   

Lush Bella

Pretty jewelry displayed on pretty backgrounds. Pieces by Lush Bella.

Link of the Day

Random Spring Goodies

Here are some cute little things I'm diggin' for Spring...

Pretty Printed Dress by Hayden & Harnett * Candy Painted Sunglasses at Urban Outfitters * Yet another reusable tote bag from Delia's * Lovely earrings from New York Adorned * Pretty in Pink ring from Alexis Bittar * Natural and patterned from Anthropologie * Metallic and braided by Michael Kors