Star Crafty http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/ Ohhh, such lovely things Star Magnolia is working on... en 2008-08-12T17:45:40-05:00 Baby Steps... http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/08/baby_steps.html lilivan_39.jpg

Taking baby steps. Baby steps towards my future. Soon enough, I'll be skipping and jumping and whistling. Possibly under the Portland rain.

I'm ready life, BRING IT.


{genuinely happy}
{{sadly, must finish all these photos, can't celebrate right now}}
{{{I shall read all y'alls blogs soon!}}}


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Portland starmagn 2008-08-12T17:45:40-05:00
Little Ivan http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/08/little_ivan.html ivan3panelsmall.jpg

Yes, I'm in Portland and it is AWESOME! Haven't had time to blog or edit pictures from the trip. Priorities come first, such as editing Little Ivan Alexander's pictures. Such a cute baby! Shot these just before leaving, I had never photographed babies. Another experience I truly enjoyed.

Ahhh Portland. In so many ways it reminds me of my darling Savannah. I have met many a great people. Visited lots of cute shops. Gone to three art fairs already. I have THREE family photo shoots this weekend (two were booked before I even got to Portland). And I've only been here a week.

So awesome. But now, I must head to bed, for tomorrow I'm gonna have to forgo any plans of playing tourist and catch up with all 2000 photos I have backed up before this weekend hits. No, I haven't even started looking for a job...except I dropped an app at Anthropologie. Y'all know how much I love that store.

Okay, soon soon I shall blog a bit more... maybe in like ten years. If you're lucky!

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Photography starmagn 2008-08-12T02:28:13-05:00
Little Cuties http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/little_cuties.html port_peo_horiz_matthew.jpg

That up there is baby Matthew, the most chill baby ever. Such a little darling. These are the family portraits I shot two weeks ago, with my friend Minnie and her two babies.

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Little feet, little feet that will jump across the world, little feet that will ride a bike around the neighborhood, little feet that run to catch a ball, little feet that dance to her song alone in her room, little feet that will tip toe to kiss a boy, little feet that will carry her through a wonderful life


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There's Miss Director with the camera


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tee hee hee cutie. I believe they were looking at a plane passing by


Oh I will miss them so much :(

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Photography starmagn 2008-07-29T04:38:28-05:00
MOre progress on Star Magnolia http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/more_progress_o.html designtest0708.jpg

I am quite aware I should be packing right now, but this is my (ahem, fourth) break of the day and I just want to share with y'all something I've been working in the past few days (when I should've been, you guessed it, PACKING). I tweaked the Star Magnolia logo a bit and added an element with texture, the yellow polka dot fabric that I love so much. I like this design, though I think it might still lack something? Perhaps a little text below? Not sure. Ignore the navigation and the rest of the content, I haven't touched that yet. Want to make this site simple, yet intuitive.

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I love yellow. <3

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Work in Progress starmagn 2008-07-28T19:25:47-05:00
Reaching the unknown... http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/reaching_the_un.html processofpacking.jpg
Red lines cross out what I have not packed yet. What I should be packing now instead of blogging. Will I ever learn.

I began packing yesterday and am almost halfway done. Thankfully I don't own a lot. What you see in the picture above is kinda half of what I own. Possibly even more than half. Lots of books and fabrics and photo equipment/boxes. That's it. SWEET. Packing has actually been fun. Fun because in just a week I shall embark on my merry way to Portland (with the help of my friend Le Koonds).

It is such an odd feeling... I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what my life will be like in a week. I've never been to Portland, I've seen countless of pictures, but that's it. It's like pondering what happens to your soul after death, or where and how does the Universe end. Like standing on the edge of ... the unknown, with no guidelines, no map, no one you know (at least physically), and no reference to your point of origin.

It's such a WONDERFUL feeling, not scary at all. I live for this, to cross the unknown, to explore new worlds and civilizations, to... try not to turn this entry into a Star Trek quote-fest.

Allright, back to packing, woot woot!!

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Portland starmagn 2008-07-28T16:30:34-05:00
Despelote Total http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/despelote_total.html bye08_01.jpg

That is me getting ready in the bathroom of my Mandalay Bay hotel room for my AWESOME goodbye party. That dress is from bebe and I spent an arm and a leg for it, BUT DAMN IT LOOKED HOT ON ME. lol

Lots of fun was had, drinks were downed, and pictures were taken that I cannot show to you because.. well... I just can't. :)

Thanks to all my awesome co-workers, brother, friends and everybody else who joined the Ceremony of Debauchery.

Flippin' awesome.

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Portland starmagn 2008-07-23T15:56:21-05:00
Grand baby steps.. http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/_hello_all_i_am.html hillary_28.jpg

Hello, all. I am managing a blog entry in the midst of the chaos that is The Last Three Weeks Before I Relocate to Portland. Sixteen days left and I have not packed a single thing, still working at the restaurant and until just a few hours ago I was working on crafty things for a craft fair next Friday. But I'm not going to participate, just don't have the time. Thankfully I hadn't really applied for it.

Two weeks ago I photographed my very first family portrait. I was so nervous, having never really dealt with families. A darling lady I met at the aforementioned art fair a few months ago asked me to photograph her family, because being a photographer herself she has thousands of pictures of her kids... but none of her in them. So we went to a park on the south side of Vegas (Hicksville, I call it, because it's still mildly undeveloped) and spent an hour shooting her sweet family. To be honest... I quite enjoyed it! The pictures turned out great and she was happy with the results. The photograph above is of 14 year old Shae. She is a sweet girl and I just love love love that portrait.

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The family


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Hilary Helton, the Photographer/mama/lady with great a decorating eye (her office is AWESOME)


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Soon enough, the shyness disappeared.

Last Tuesday I photographed my friend Minnie and her two adorable kids. Now let me tell y'all something. When I think of leaving Vegas for Portland nothing nothing nothing at all makes me sad about it... except saying goodbye to this little girl. Just thinking about it makes me shed a little tear. I'm gonna miss little Genesis so much. She is such a smart three year old. So imaginative, energetic, shy (at first) and unbearably cute. Not that I have any plans to have kids at all, but if I do, I hope I get to raise her the way Minnie is doing. I like me some disciplined smart kids.

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During our shoot on Tuesday, Genesis grabbed her mama's Canon 20D (the same model as my camera) and in no more than 10 minutes was already directing us where to sit, how to sit, where to stand, when the camera was ready, so on and so on. Three years old. Oh lordy. Her photographs actually turned out great!!!! I think I may have a partner in crime!

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This is one of her shots. And yes, that's my bra.


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I had asked her to jump for a photo... but instead she told me to jump. So I obliged.


I haven't finished editing the pictures from that session. I did snap like 600 shots of her, her lil baby brother (who is totally chill, and I adore him!), the mama and the grandma.

So definitely I will market this new area of my photography. I have to learn to loosen up around kids.

YAY FOR TAKING OVER THE WORLD ALL THE WAY FROM MY FUTURE HEADQUARTERS IN PORTLAND!!!!

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Photography starmagn 2008-07-18T17:02:00-05:00
Daintiness. http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/07/daintiness.html

So I have resolved to participate in this month's Art in the Square art fair at the new Town Square here in Vegas. Mind you, it'll be about 120 degrees outside on July 25th. But it's my last chance before I head out to Portland. It'll give me a chance to try out the prototypes I've been working on lately.

That up there is the business card I want to get printed. The colors won't pop out as much, the screen shows the RGB not CMYK. But it's still dainty, I believe. ^_^

I finished up these two clutches today. Oh my, I can't stop looking at the yellow one. It's so... sunshiny. Whenever I get my own apartment in Portland I will decorate with this kind of marigold yellow to brighten up those infamous dreary Pacific Northwest Winter days. Both clutches are made with beautiful silk, fantastic textures. The lace is also so wonderful. Already ran out of the thinner one, gonna have to call my mom to buy more for me.



At times, I can't wait for colder days just so I can proudly wear brooches. Though honestly, I never need an excuse to sport them. These, I heart very much. Made with ribbons, vintage buttons, various fabrics and yummy white wool felt. ^_^

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I know, I know, second time I post another of Feist's videos, but I am so in love with this girl. Her music enters me, swims through my bloodstream, plays my heart strings and the notes are my tears and my chuckles. This, The Buildup is a live version of her collaboration with the Kings of Convenience, yet another great band I discover thanks to her.

The buildup... lasted for days... lasted for weeks... lasted too long


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Also, 28 days till Portland! and I haven't packed a single thing. I'm screwed.


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Work in Progress starmagn 2008-07-08T04:48:44-05:00
in great company http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/in_great_compan.html missposie.jpg
image by alicia

It's been since November 29th since I have not visited Alicia Paulson's blog, Posie gets Cozy, and it hadn't dawned on me, till an hour ago, that Miss Alicia currently lives in Portland!! She is a wonderful artist who creates the most beautiful, daintiest things, from romantic crochet cardigans to dream-like birdcages to the darling clothespin ladies featured above.

Every post is full of words of wonderment, delight, nostalgia and a sense that every day is rosey and unique even when some convince us otherwise. I have been so inspired by her artwork and outlook on life. Without realizing, I was falling in love with Portland, Oregon for the longest time through her eyes.

Even if I never meet Miss Alicia (though I would love love love to) once I relocate, it is such a comforting feeling knowing that people like her inhabit this grand City of Roses.

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image by alyson


But there is an equally fantastic blogger I will actually meet! Miss Alyson of Unruly Things fame. Oh how I love her blog. Short words, great feelings, child-like dreams, neutral threads and sunday-afternoon-lighting-like photos. She has been stalking me a bit through the social networks of the Internets. That's totally cool with me. Also, how rockin' is that guitar of hers!

Y'all have no idea how excited and happy I am to be moving to Portland. Smiles and giggles escape me whenever I think about it.

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Portland starmagn 2008-06-21T00:34:00-05:00
it's not that far really http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/its_not_that_fa.html itsnotthatfarreally.jpg

If I only had the nerves to send out a postcard like this to him. If I only had a real reason. If only he understood. *le sigh*

You can still buy this ultra adorable postcard from rarrarpress. Too cute for words.

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Random starmagn 2008-06-20T22:27:12-05:00
No nos menospreciemos http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/no_nos_menospre.html

oh my oh my, I am smitten. Today I finally watched all other videos from Facto Delafe y Las Flores Azules. Such happiness and beautiful lyrics. Ahh I want to live in Barcelona!

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Una cancion starmagn 2008-06-18T16:00:56-05:00
Esto no se para http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/esto_no_se_para.html prfabrics01.jpg

I share with y'all the fabric goodies I purchased back home in Puerto Rico. I resist the urge to photograph each fabric, I don't have quite the time. But they are all so fantastically beautiful.

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I still often dream of owning my little boutique where a little corner will be dedicated to beautiful fabrics. I would pair Japanese cottons with silks with Lara Cameron's amazing silkscreened linens and canvas. Next to the fabrics, you'd find dainty vintage buttons, ribbons and lace. ooo lace.

I hope this dream comes true within the next ten years. How awesome! ^_^


corksupdate318.jpg

Over the past few months I have been collecting wine corks from work. To be perfectly honest with y'all, I have absolutely no idea why I am doing so, but so far I have 318. My bartender jokes I am perhaps building a raft to go back home. har har. Anybody have a cool suggestion? I guess I collect them because I just love collecting things that might otherwise fill up space in a landfill. Maybe I'm just a pack rat (not to be confused with a rat pack. lol).

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Today I stumbled upon muxtape, clicked one of the profiles in the main page and discovered a most beautiful, dreamy song, Mar el poder del mar by Facto Delafe from Spain. Had never heard of this singer, but I am so glad I did. The video is just... delightful.

...adoro sentirte...

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trinkets starmagn 2008-06-17T18:33:11-05:00
delectable rings http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/delectable_ring.html lapatisserie.jpg

Oh.My.Raptor.Jesus.
These are RINGS. RINGS!!!!!! I MUST HAVE THESE!!
Dear La Patisserie, I love you. With all my buttercream heart.


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Random starmagn 2008-06-16T22:49:07-05:00
Y es que contigo soy yo http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/y_es_que_contig.html arielheart.jpg

Sometimes (okay, often, as of late) I ponder if I'll ever be happy and giddy enough to photograph my own heart shadows on the road.

Been editing wedding pictures, and reading wedding blogs all day long, to be followed by a rather elaborate wedding tomorrow at our restaurant .

The fiercely independent woman in me longs to abandon all pride and let go.

Le sigh. Here's to Mr. Awesome in Portland.

Image from the wonderful Ariel, writer for the fun and informative Offbeat Bride blog.

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Portland starmagn 2008-06-14T02:18:19-05:00
Reason #31 Why I cannot stay in Las Vegas http://WWW.STARMAGNOLIA.COM/theblog/archives/2008/06/reason_31_why_i.html wellies.jpg

Rain boots.
At J. Crew.
On sale for $10.00
For my upcoming move to Portland, OR.
ohmyraptorjesus.
I nearly died.
Bought two pairs.
The ones above and bright yellow.
Goodbye Vegas!


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Portland starmagn 2008-06-13T23:09:32-05:00