Sponsor Calico Skies in June

Looking to promote your blog, store or online business? Well, I would love to hear from you! I love to feature and promote other bloggers, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses and handmade shops. I post several times a week, where I share about my 52-week craft challenge, favorite recipes, and my little adventures here in Los Angeles. Here are some stats:

Pageviews last month: 89,476

Google Friend Connect:

Facebook likes: 139

Bloglovin' followers: 173

Currently, I'm offering a free advertising and button swapping program. Starting in June, I will have 3 different ad sizes, that are rotated with each page refresh in order to maximize exposure for each sponsor. 

Spaces are limited, and are on a first come first served basis, so please contact me for availability. If you are interested in advertising with me, please send me an email with a link to your site at laurenteresa86@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

*I reserve the right to refuse participation if I feel that your site does not reflect the positive and eclectic aesthetic of Calico Skies.

Guest Post: Ten Summer Essentials

I have an awesome guest post for you today by Bethany from Handbag heaven. A fringe purse like that one is definitely on my list.

10 Summer Essential

Hello Calico Skies readers! I first wanted to say thank you to Lauren for allowing me the opportunity to guest post on her fabulous blog! Are you ready for summer and the new amazing fashion trends?

Summer is just around the corner. Are you as ready as we are? The girls at Handbag Heaven pulled together a list of our top ten must-haves for summer. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway to a beachy locale or just enjoying a date at a local park, here’s the rundown of what we think every fashionable gal should have for summertime.

1. Maxi dress: What could be better than an ultra chic dress that beats the comfort of most pajamas? This one should be an obvious pick.
2. Summer scarf: Best for taming hair on a windy day, or adding contrast and pattern to a plain outfit. They aren’t just for wintertime! Floral scarves, striped scarves, or bright colors are all great options!
3. Sunglasses: There’s no reason you shouldn’t own a pair of sunglasses, especially if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Sunglasses protect your eyes from sun damage (blindness is a REAL side effect, ladies!), but they also prevent crows feet from forming around your eyes after hours of squinting. Style staple AND health staple, it’s a win-win.
4. Bright nail polish: Tangerine was named Pantone’s color for summer, and we love it for fingers and toes! Plus, we love any excuse for a bright splash of color. Painted nails is so summertime.
5. SPF: Duh, sun spots aren’t chic. Neither are burns or skin cancer. Be safe, be smart!

6. Cross body bag: Music festival staple - from Coachella to Bonnaroo.
7. Cream blush: Even if you don’t typically wear cream blush, summer is a great time to give it a try. It’s moisturizing, lasts all day, and adds a gorgeous punch of color to your cheeks!
8. Wedge sandals: Wedge heels are the easiest form of heels to wear, and they make your legs look great!
9. Beach bag: Even if you’re not headed to a beach, every gal needs a beach bag!
10. Good read: There’s something about summer that’s perfect for reading — poolside or post-picnic especially. We hear the Hunger Games books are as good as the movie!

 

Did we miss anything? What else do YOU consider a summer essential? Ok, maybe ice-cream is a nice #11!


 

Author Bio: For more great inspiration on how to mix colors, mix patterns, and dress with the fierceness of a fashion blogger, check out this Guide to Style for Beginners with tips on everything from selecting the right handbag to wearing leopard print and polka dots.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Chris and I are on our way up to Santa Barbara for the weekend to stay with some friends. Looking forward to chilling and enjoying the sun, drinks and yummy food. However, you know that feeling when you leave town and you just know you left something at home? Well this time I really did, and left my phone at home by accident. So I'll be a little cut off this week, but oh well. I'm leaving you with some images inspired by the sea. Have a wonderful long weekend!

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10 Things I Dig

I've been slowly working on a new layout, very slowly. So this is what a lot of my online time has been looking like lately, which explains the lack of posts this week. 

I thought I'd take a break from designing and  browse around for some pretty things to look at. That's what Pinterest is made for, right? Here are some of my favorites.

In love this home tour from Love Made Me Do It. The light-filled spaces and all the quirky little things it's filled with, just everything.

I want to eat every one of these little beauties.

This couple's portrait by Oana Befort is just lovely.

Bows, tea-length dress, and train cases. Adorable.

I've had my eyes on a pair of these in size 7 for some time now.

I reaaallly need one of these for the summer. 

Prosciutto wrapped chicken fillet with asparagus and pesto sauce. The recipe appears to be written in Russian, but this looks looks like it would be worth translating.

Lovely Liz Taylor. I don't think I've ever looked this glamorous reading the paper.

I honestly can't remember where I found this (if you have any idea let me know), and I don't even know if if it's true, but it's just magical.

One of my favorite songs from My Morning Jacket. It's sweet and uplifting.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!!

DIY Roundup: Home Sweet Home

Here's some of the diy's that I've been dreaming about lately. Right now, Chris and I are apartment hunting, and here in LA it can be difficult to find something that you love, that won't cost you a small fortune. So I've been on the lookout for easy and affordable ways upcycle and dress up a small space. 

DIY upholstered Headboard. This site includes a very detailed tutorial. I've seen a lot of  them out there but this one makes it look so simple.

Lace stencil table from A Beautiful Mess. I think this would be a cute accent on a smaller piece like sidetable.

DIY Room divider. This one is from Design Sponge, where they have a very helpful tutorial as always, and the cork backing is like the best idea ever. The places we're looking at are pretty small, or "cozy", so this would be a great way to create a new space for an office.

LOVE this eclectic garland. I've made a ton of garland, but I like this one because of the photos and keepsakes, it's really personal, would be cute in a bedroom.

This cross stitch wall painting. Now I probably couldn't get away with this in an apartment, but the design looks so pretty! Maybe just a baby one in the bathroom?

After I saw this I was so inspired to go out and find something shabby and paint it a super bright color. 

This refurbished wardrobe is pretty awesome too. It's embroidered!

I love this idea. I want to find an old chair and dip the legs in turquoise. Wouldn't that be cool?

Do you have an projects planned to spruce up your pad this summer?

Bits & Pieces: Weekend

This weekend was a fun one, and a scorcher. I worked on a few diy's for some upcoming tutorials. We had a delicious Mexican brunch for Chris' brother's birthday, and I put my hair in Heidi braids since it's finally long enough, here's what I wore. 

sweater: Gap / Dress-F21 / Purse: Vintage Coach / Shoes: Kork-Ease / Scarf: Flea market in Amsterdam / Sunnies: Ray Ban

Went to the Dodgers vs. Cardinals game with some friends. 

How was your weekend?!

Numerals & Characters

Maybe because I'm a school teacher, and I'm trained to teach the ABC's, but I just adore all numbers and letters. I especially love when they are made into objects, or removed from their context, and they become a thing of their own. All these spaces incorporate text in a really cool way, at least I think so.

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I really want to give this a home.

Did you ever have a "favorite letter" in grade school?