{off to renegade}

goodbye everyone! i'm off to visit miss liz franco and attend renegade craft fair in san fransisco. i'll be taking lots of pictures along the way and promise to blog all about it upon my return, monday. make sure you've entered the august giveaway, and be sure to check in on sunday for a playlist to start the week off right.
hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
xxoo chelsea

{feature friday: kim-anh nguyen art}

lately, every time i check my google reader i search for one blog in particular. ladies and gentlemen, i hope you can see just how talented the lovely miss kim-anh's artwork is. i am constantly inspired at the illustrations she produces at the drop of a hat. little owls and acorns and lots of blossoms, i cannot wait to commission her for a custom tattoo sketch of my own! very soon, she'll be opening an etsy shop, so please take a peak at her sweet creations that you can have for yourself! i hope you all have a chance to stop by kim-anh's sites and pay her a compliment or two! her work is fantastic, and i can see her going really far with this gift. click to view kim-anh's blog!
xxoo chelsea

{trendy thursday: mad men fever}

last sunday, my favorite tv show returned to tv. mad men is back with it's fourth season and i couldn't be happier. i have been swooning over the series since the beginning and i cannot wait to see what this season has in store for us. as always, the beautiful actors and actress' of mad men completely enamor my senses, but it's the fashion and decor that really has me talking!

don & betty draper-
i have been a huge fan of this 2009 vanity fair shoot by photographer annie leibovitz since i first saw it. completely captures a sense of retro-futurism and oozes such classy sex appeal
brooches-
amazing how this simple little accessory can take any outfit to the next level
powder puff-
betty loves herself some pastel dresses, especially yellow! it's fantastic
velvet headboards-
while only playing a small roll on the series, the draper headboard has won my heart. so classy, so chic, so luxurious! i just must have one for myselfoffice attire-
taking business casual to a new level, the employees of sterling cooper certainly know how to dress the part of an upper class manhattan sophisticate
xxoo chelsea

{wildcard wednesday: august giveaway} CLOSED

i'm very excited to announce that the seablanket blog will be having monthly giveaways!! each month, one lucky winner will win ad space on the blog as well as a goodie bag of surprises! this month's giveaway will end tuesday, august 2nd so be sure to enter!!

what you'll get:
ad space for the entire month of august
a mix tape (data dvd) with 100 amazing songs
a gorgeous 1940's vintage pill ring
and a darling seablanket handmade headband!

here's two ways to enter:
1. leave a comment with your name, email address and one little thing about you
2. tweet or blog about the giveaway, and leave a comment saying you did!

good luck to all who enter, i can't wait to announce a winner on tuesday! some ad spaces are still available for august, email if you're interested in purchasing a space. rates are very reasonable.
xxoo chelsea

{seablanket; new weekly lineup}

i've been mentioning that new things are in the works for the seablanket blog, and i'm ready to let you in on one of the changes coming! starting this week, seablanket is getting a new weekly lineup!!! i'm adding to the current lineup with some fun new daily posts!!!

Birds from Seablanket on Vimeo. {courtesy of chemistryofcool}

new weekly lineup:
sundays - sweet sunday; a playlist with some of my favorite songs to kick off your week.
mondays - manic monday; fashion trends, shopping advice and thrift store challenges.
tuesdays - tutorial tuesday; how-to-diy cute little projects
wednesdays - wild card wednesday; stay tuned ... surprises every week!
thursdays - trendy thursday; a collection of inspiring things to enhance your week
fridays - feature friday; a spotlight featuring creative genius
times are changing! i can't wait to share these new weekly features with you, as well as continue with the old. thank you all so much for reading and encouraging me and helping me move seablanket to a new level. i'm loving every minute of it!
xxoo chelsea

{tutorial tuesday: tin twinkle lights}

i love a little evening ambiance to help enhance any outdoor area. this week's tutorial shows you how to make sweet little tin twinkle lights for any in or outdoor area. this project is simple, and these lights will last forever!! gather some fun colored paint, recycle a few tin cans, and make some of your own... the more, the merrier
materials needed:
tin cans, as many different styles and sizes as you'd like
nail and hammer
spray paint
light colored felt-tip marker
wire and pliers
(can opener - optional)
tea candle

lets get started:
first, remove the paper or plastic labels from your cans. wipe down each can to remove dust or dirt from the exterior. using a can opener, (if cans are unopened) and remove all contents. rinse out and dry.
using a nail, hammer two holes on either side of your can, near the top opening. next, draw your desired design with a light colored felt-tip marker. again, use your nail and punch holes following the lines of your design. (side note: freezing the cans first will make the nail holes precise)
place tin can face downward on a non-damageable surface. now, paint! make sure to use a spray paint made for adhering to metal. use multiple colors to add pops of color to your outdoor area. set aside and let dry for at least an hour.
next, cut some wire to your desired length. using pliers, slide wire through the hang holes and bend upwards. twist or tuck the ends inside of your tin, so they don't scrape or scratch. place your tea candle inside.
hang, in trees, on fence-posts or set around your patio for a twinkle ambiance lighting. they are very cute little additions to any space.
i really enjoyed this project. using only materials i had lying around my house, i was able to spruce up my backyard and bring life to a lonely little tree. all the joy that a diy should be!
xxoo chelsea

{manic monday: $5 outfit challenge}

over the weekend, i went to a local goodwill with a thrift-store challenge : find an entire outfit for under $5. this seemed simple in theory, as i often pride myself on my ability to succeed when shopping for anything vintage. as the shopping went on, i was humbled by the thought that the challenge may have been too difficult for even a pro bargain hunter. then...alas, i found it! a floor length bohemian maxi dress with drop neckline and intricate beading along the side, with a glorious price tag of $3! shortly thereafter, i found a splendid brass chained necklace with multiple almond-shaped wooden dangling wedges for $0.75 and a great waistbelt with large silver buckle detailing for $1.25. i felt very accomplished leaving the store having spent every penny i'd brought to spend, and clutching three magnificent items...sure they'd pull together and make a darling ensemble. when i arrived home, i pulled out my favorite pair of boots, my large wooden set of rosary beads and a bandeau to make the drop neckline less provocative. the temperature outside was 104 and i decided it was too darn hot for a floor length dress, so i took the maxi and tied it up around my waist. problem solved!! now, the final product - take a look at my $5 ensemble:the moral of the story, you ask?? be creative with your budget! don't let the economy get you down with finance woes, instead, embrace any penny pinching situation and accessorize, alter, or thrift your way to a fun outfit and a full wallet!
xxoo chelsea

p.s. this week on seablanket.com : i'll be revealing a few changes coming to the seablanket blog...also a little something i like to call a giveaway! stay tuned!!!