Obsession Archives - So About What I Said

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Video Hello: Lip Balm Haul

Sooo, after what feels like an eternity, I’m excited to share a new Video Hello today, friends! I’ve been out of the game for awhile, but it was really fun talking about my fave lip balms of the moment — and you know that I could talk about them four hours!!

Anyway, let me know what your faves are in the comments! I’d love to be friends on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest too! Enjoy!! xoxo

Monday, February 6, 2012

Sponsor Spotlight: Oatmeal Lace Design

Today, friends, we chat with McKay, the creative mind behind Oatmeal Lace Design. She loves chronicling the journey of her creations, so read on for the story behind her store’s name and what inspires her the most. Enjoy…

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Oatmeal Lace Design
Become a fan on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
So tell me a bit about Oatmeal Lace
I’m lucky to have grown up with strong female role models in my life. I’m named after my mom and grandmother, who are both amazing in front of a sewing machine and even better in front of a stove. I luckily inherited some of their talent in the sewing arena…not so much in the kitchen, unfortunately. My grandmother (we call her Mamama) always made the most delicious cookies when we visited growing up. Thin, crispy, buttery goodness — named Oatmeal Lace. Naming the company after those cookies is my little shout-out to her and all she’s accomplished in her lifetime. I mean, seriously, how many 94-year-olds do you know who still live alone, drive and play golf?? Oatmeal Lace was started with weddings in mind, and its primary focus has been on brides-to-be and their bridal parties. It’s been successful in that arena, which has allowed me to branch out and start making bags for other occasions and dabble in baby products. So much fun!

What inspired you to start the shop?
It was almost a fluke, actually. While planning my wedding, I rediscovered my creative side — it had been dormant for quite some time. Anyways, I was having a lot of trouble deciding what to gift my bridesmaids that would be something they would want to use after the wedding, be customized to their individual taste and also not kill the budget that I was working so hard to stay within. I knew how to sew, thanks to my mom and Mamama, and I love bags, as did my bridesmaids, so decided that I was going to make them custom clutches (a very lofty goal at the time). Long story short, I loved making the clutches, and with some not-so-subtle pushes from family and friends to open a shop, I decided to go for it. Finding a creative outlet that allows me to still be involved in the wedding community, which I love, and helps contribute to our family income has been a dream come true.
What’s your best piece of advice for people looking for great online shopping deals?
Once I know what product/service it is that I want to purchase online, I always, always, always go to Google first and type in ‘such and such promo/coupon code.’ I cannot tell you how many times I have been able to save at least 10% off my purchases that way. I also do this for purchases I make in-store, since many coupons you can print out and take with you…

In this recession economy, what are some ways people can still look chic for less?
If you consider t-shirts, jeans and flip flops “chic”, then I’m your gal. 🙂 Honestly, what I find the easiest and most effective way to liven up any outfit (especially the t-shirts I’m always wearing) is buying a fun scarf or a great pair of earrings. I’m a huge fan of Forever 21, Target, Marshalls & TJMaxx to source fun & inexpensive jewelry/accessories. I’m partial to dangly earrings since I throw my hair back in a ponytail 95% of the time, and they are guaranteed to automatically make me feel more put together and stylish when I wear them. Plus, Target has the best t-shirts for cheap — and in a plethora of colors. I think I have one of each (and about 5 in white). I’ve also found that Marshalls & TJMaxx are a gold mine for fun infinity scarves that don’t break the bank. They always add a little pizazz to any outfit you put together and work even in warmer climates like Tampa, where I am. Just stay away from the wool if you’re down here.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item in the shop is the geometric genevieve. I really love the pattern, and although I’ve not been able to source it in the taupe anymore, I love it even more in the gray. I’ve been using a bright teal for the interior which I think is such a fun surprise when you open the bag.

P.S. Look for an awesome giveaway from McKay on the blog tomorrow! 🙂

Monday, January 30, 2012

Sponsor Spotlight: Sweet Musings Paperie

Today, I’ve got an awesome interview with you, friends. Michelle of Sweet Musings Paperie, one of So About What I Said’s newest sponsors, gives us the story behind her creativity and what likes best about her job. Read on…

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Sweet Musings Paperie
Check out on Facebook
Follow on Pinterest
So tell me a bit about Sweet Musings Paperie.
Sweet Musings Paperie was started in August 2011 so it’s a relatively new shop. I’m slowly building up steam, enjoying meeting people, both clients and other sellers, and creating products that are whimsical, fashion focused and just simply make me smile and I hope, make my clients and followers smile too! It’s a little classic and a little contemporary.

What inspired you to start the shop?
This is sort of a long story, but I’ll try to make it short. I studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design, and after I graduated, I started working as a Marketing Coordinator. Well, my full-time job and life sort of got in the way of my illustrations, and the more time went by, the more I missed it. Over the course of the five years since I graduated, I was working like crazy, I planned a wedding and got married, I bought a house and was trying to make it a home; sadly, my art was slipping farther away. And then I went to Paris on my honeymoon, and I came back with inspiration literally bursting out of my head and onto paper. I was creating illustration after illustration and developed the characters, Coco and Louie. From these two characters, I began creating products featuring them and other illustrations that made me smile. And with each of these products, I started Sweet Musings Paperie.
What’s your best piece of advice for people looking for great online shopping deals?
I have a few things I do when looking for deals. I always wait until I have a coupon or there is a sale at stores. And I also try to look in the sale section first. I’m a big online shopper, and I love shopping sites like Gilt, Idelli and Beyond The Rack and similar sites that have designer sales. Other favorite stores and sites are ModCloth, Piperlime, ASOS and Target. I’ll spend more on classic pieces that I know I will want and have for years and look for the deals or shop lower-end for trendy pieces. I always shop around and compare.

In this recession economy, what are some ways people can still look chic for less?
I think you just have to be on the lookout. So many stores have deals all the time to try to bring customers in. And, as I said above, I love to shop stores like Target, ModCloth and ASOS for the really trendy pieces and then mix them with higher-end classics. It helps me feel chic without having to spend a lot.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
The custom illustration listing is definitely my favorite. Is that cheating since it’s always different and the project depends on the client?! It’s my favorite because I’ve met so many incredible people through the listing. I always end up feeling like I’ve made a new friend and got to know them and what makes them happy or what they care about. Each project has been so unique and so much fun for all kinds of reasons. I never know what someone will be requesting, and I know it will always be out-of-the-box, original and so personal for my client. I’ve worked on things like illustrations of pets for tote bags, wedding thank-you notes, shower invitations, blog headers and pictures of loved ones. So even if it is cheating, it’s by far my favorite listing.

P.S. A new Letter To My Future Husband is coming up soon! 🙂

Monday, January 9, 2012

Etsy Love: Math pillows

Remember when I mentioned that my father and I both took statistics at the same time, only at different colleges? Well, I couldn’t help but smile and think of him when I stumbled across the fabulous etsy shop Nausicaa Distribution, a fun place where all the handmade goods are (you guessed it!) inspired by math and statistics. How awesome are these statistics pillows? They sort of make me want to bust out my calculator and graph paper!
And these coasters remind me of something the boys of The Big Bang Theory would have. Are you a math person, friend? xoxo

P.S. The shop even has baby things. How adorable — you could raise a little mathematician! 🙂