long

short

curls

updos

braids

I’m still unsure of what I want to do. I’m thinking of taking up the length a bit, have Andrea redo my bangs, and add in some shorter layers. But, I am loving having long hair again (after growing it out from a short a-line three years ago), so who knows.

Do you have any suggestions of what to do with my hair (color and cut)? What would your dream hair look like? Short vs. long? Let me know!

At Aunt Jo's, with Grandma V and my mom

This past week Jony and I went to visit our family in Ohio. Though we both are born, raised, and met in California, our parents grew up in Ohio – talk about coincidence! We had a moment there with a possible family relation scare before we got married (lol!), but no worries, we come from different German Catholic clans. We were able to see his grandparents and my mom’s siblings (she is one of ten, whew!), and had a blast playing Euchre and eating Marion’s pizza.

Playing Euchre with the cousins; and yes, that's a dog, not a horse

But before I get into details, let me tell you my horror story of plane flights. I swear this was the most difficult vacation I have ever been on! First off, we arrived late to the airport due to some wacko walking on our public train system, BART, resulting in all the San Francisco trains being shut down for about 45 minutes. We missed the check-in deadline by 15 minutes, proceed in getting lectured by the ticket agent (*rolls eyes*), and told that there are no other flights that could get us to Ohio that day. We talked to about three other agents (one telling us we could pay $1000 one-way ticket, another telling us we’ll have to wait till the next day, and the third basically having no clue what to tell us) before finally someone simply put us on a later flight free of charge – why this couldn’t have happened three hours earlier, I’m not sure! After sitting for twelve hours at the airport, we caught the red-eye to Chicago/O’hare, then grabbed a 6am flight into Ohio. At this point I was just happy we arrived! But, the adventure wasn’t over yet. Somewhere along the way they lost both of our suitcases. We finally get our luggage the next morning after being in our clothes for 36 hours, yuck! Basically we are finished using United from now on, lol. Despite all of the trouble, it was actually a blessing in disguise – my husband and I haven’t had that much one-on-one time in awhile, and we actually had a pleasant time passing the hours together .

At the Englewood dam

Once we got there, we had a blast. I hadn’t seen my family in about ten years, and it was amazing catching up with everyone. I have to say, it was so bizarre not being the youngest anymore – many of my cousins have children, and let me tell you, they are the most entertaining kids I have ever met (picture two little blonde twin boys singing Tik Tok and dancing the robot). We got to see some family history and visited the Wright Brothers’ Bicycle Shop where my great great grandfather worked with Orville and Wilbur. We also stopped by the cemetery where my Mom’s mother, father, brother and sister are buried.

At Bob Evans with my dad and sister - apparently an Ohio staple!

Sitting on handmade rockers with my pops

In front of the Wright Bros Museum, picking Orville's nose

With the family in the bicycle shop

At the Wright Patterson Aviation museum, home of almost every plane imaginable

Doing what my family does best - lounging and talking

Pardon the picture quality – unfortunately I forgot my camera charger, so these are taken with Jony’s iPhone lol. Anywho, there’s a glimpse into my vacation! It feels great to be back home, but I loved seeing my family, and I think I’ve been bitten by the traveling bug. There is so much to see!

Where have you gone this summer? Where would you like to visit? Do you live close to your family? Let me know!

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More than a Fashion Blogger

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Check out some of the other selected links, they are pretty awesome – I especially liked the post by A La Modest. Back to being on schedule for posts and my makeup challenge (follow along on my FB fanpage here) tomorrow!

Got babies on my mind...

Rather than advice, this post is more of a “I’d like to hear your opinion” piece. Not too long ago I read an article in Elle Magazine about women who attempted just about every trick in the book in order to have the “right” gendered baby. It featured a woman who literally went into depression after finding out she was having another boy after intense medical treatments to have a girl. She became a part of a support group filled with mothers who desired a boy/girl, but were unsuccessful (side note: these women all had healthy children already as well, just the wrong gender).

When I read the article, I admit I was a bit conflicted on my feelings. I was appalled by the mother’s reaction of course, how she devalued her sons and made them feel less than adequate. I was angry that these ladies who were able to have healthy, perfectly amazing children could complain when there are so many women who would kill to be able to be in their place. But on the other side of the coin, how many of us have an “ideal” image of what our families will look like? I’ll be the first to say that I’ve been dreaming of having two boys and a girl (names picked out and everything, which is funny because if you know me, I’m not big on kids right now).

So here’s my question to you: where do you draw the line when it comes to selecting the gender of your child? Are you all for taking whatever measures you can? Are you perfectly fine with whatever you end up having? Does it make you uncomfortable, or do you feel like women have a viable reason to pursue these means for an end? Or are you like and are simply conflicted? Let me know!

Mask away your problems...

Who doesn’t love a face mask?! It’s the easiest way to give yourself a little pampering at home. I love experimenting with all different types of masks, from peels to exfoliants and beyond. One of my favorites is this basic mud mask by Queen Helene. It uses English clay to clean out your pores, tighten skin, and relax your facial muscles. I use it once every few weeks whenever I am feeling extra oily or I feel like my complexion is looking a bit poor. It goes on easily and dries within ten minutes (side note: does anyone else love that feeling when you can finally take your mask off and you work your facial muscles, cracking it like an egg?? I think it feels SO GOOD!).

having a geisha moment

The only negatives I would give it would be a) It’s a bit liquidy at first so it can be quite messy, and don’t dry your face with a white towel because it WILL stain and b) though Queen Helene says it uses natural ingredients, they have perfume in the product which most likely contains some unnatural ingredients. Beyond that, I love the quick results, and for only $4 it’s a steal!

What is your favorite mask? How do you pamper yourself on your day off? Let me know!

I always wanted to let you all know I will be leaving for Ohio today! My husband and I are meeting up with my parents (who left last week in order to drive the week-long trek) and sister to attend an Elliott family reunion. I haven’t seen my mom’s side of the family  in a really long time, so I’m super excited. Luckily I’ll be able to bring my laptop and camera, so blogging with commence as usually, but keep me in your thoughts today (I’m not the best flier and will be doped up on Dramamine, lol).

snapshots

So, I’m super excited that I finally received my first dslr in the mail yesterday! I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect one to invest in, so it’s been a bit of a long time coming. I’ve been using a Canon powershot that my husband bought me during our honeymoon because we had accidentally forgotten our camera at home. It’s been a great camera especially for travelling because of its small size, but as my blog continues growing, I’ve felt the need to upgrade. We purchased a Nikon d5000 (refurbished) for a great price; now I just need to start experimenting with it.

This is my first post using this camera, so pardon my lack of remote expertise (you’ll see it pop into the picture every now and then lol). Oliver was more than amused by the flash seemingly going off on its own.

a

b

c

d

Now a quick blurp on the outfit: I put together my thrifted Diane von Furstenberg top, Forever21 wool shorts, Kensie heels, Urban Outfitters straw hat, and DIY ribbon tie together to create a laid back summer outfit perfect to go flea market hunting in. I love this sheer top, the sleeves make me feel like I’m wearing butterfly wings.

What camera are you currently using? Have any tips for a dslr newbie? And do you dig these t-strap heels I bought several years ago, hid in my closet because I decided they were ugly, and have recently revived?

PS – have you been following my makeup challenge on my FB fan page??!

What you will need:

• 1 yrd. of at minimum 1″ thick ribbon
• roughly half a yard of thin ribbon (as much as you need to tie around your wrist comfortably)
• needle and thread
• optional beads

Step One:

Take your thick ribbon and fold it back and forth until there are five folds on top. Cut the fifth fold so that the cut edges are both facing up.

Step Two:

Sew the folds in the dead center so that when you let go, it looks like a fanned bow.

Step Three:

Repeat steps one and two 2 more times to make a total of three bows like so.

Step Four (optional):

I hand sewed beads around the cinched center of each bow, just to add a little more dimension and pizazz.

Step Five:

Attach the three bows in the center of your thin ribbon, making sure to slightly overlap them. This way when you place it around your wrist, there wont be any weird gaps.

Viola, you are done! A simple, quick, and totally affordable way to make a lovely statement bracelet using my favorite trimming!

Are you a fan of ribbon? How do you use it? And what color would you create this piece in? Let me know!

Paper Source, 740 Hearst Avenue Berkeley, CA

I’ve realized that I rarely share with you guys some of my favorite places to visit, so from this point forward I am making a conscious effort to expand beyond my home and into the world I tramp. First up I want to show you one of my recent finds: Paper Source in Berkeley. It’s a wonderful store filled with all you can possibly imagine when it comes to crafting with paper, from deliciously thick, elegant printed paper, to glues and adhesives galore, to in-store demonstrations of crafting 101. Think Mr. Magoriums Wonder Imporium for parchment.

Cardstock in every color of the rainbow

Sheaves of printed papers and tons of beautiful knick knacks

What I love the most about this shop, beyond it’s infinite inventory, is how helpful and sweet their employees are. The cutest  gave me a little tour when I told her I’d never been in the store before; you could tell she truly loved  where she worked. Then, she gave me a quick demonstration on how to emboss paper, which I have to say was one of THE coolest things I’ve seen.

First, she took a rubber stamp and used a glue pad to stamp an image onto the paper.

A sticky leaf pattern is left behind - you can use a regular stamp pad as well if you want color instead.

She sprinkled on some embossing powder, shook off the excess, and heated the residue with a special dryer. What's left is a beautiful, raised image! Perfect for personalized cards

If you aren’t by the Berkeley area, you can find a Paper Source location near you. I highly recommend stopping in, even if you aren’t a huge paper crafter. The store and the people inside it will inspire you to start creating before you know it!

What’s your favorite local craft store? Where do you frequently shop (whether for clothes, art, home decor, etc.)? Where do you get inspired? Let me know!

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M Fay from Amateur Couture

MV: Help us get to know you better! Tell us a bit about yourself, where you are from, favorite band, and pastime.

AC:

Blog: Amateur Couture (amateurcouture.com)
Name: M.Fay
Age: 30
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Favorite Band: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Pastime: Bubble Baths, Harper’s Bazaar, Window Shopping, and Dreaming of Paris

MV: I love that fashion bloggers show that you don’t need to be located in New York, LA., etc. to have a true appreciation of fashion! So tell us, when did you start blogging, and why?

AC: I started blogging in February of 2010. I was looking for a fun way to express my creative side. I’m always swimming in a sea of fashion magazines and obsessing over designer fashion.  This blog was my way of making those gorgeous things mine.

Looking fab in a printed maxi

MV: That is a wonderful point – by blogging about fashion, we truly do begin to “own” those coveted items. Beyond fashion magazines, what are you inspired by? Also, what has been you best blogging experience so far, that keeps you motivated?

AC: [I’m] inspired by art. It is magic. The best experience of blogging has been the positive feedback. It amazes me that people enjoy something that brings me so much happiness!

MV: It’s true, there’s little better than sharing some of your own loves, and having people respond positively to it! For those of us who haven’t seen you blog yet, what can we expect to find?

AC: Amateur Couture is a blog obsessed with dresses inspired by art. I find paintings, illustrations, or inspiring pictures and match them up with the perfect frock. Fashion is art! A beautiful picture needs little words. My blog is tiny treat, simple and fun.

A recent post at Amateur Couture

MV: I love the little dose of eye-candy a day! Okay, last up, is there any advice you’d give fellow bloggers?

AC: Write about what inspires you, even if the flock is flying in the opposite direction. Be bold! Oh, and it’s always nice leave comments as well…it’s what connects us.

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Thank you M Fay for the wonderful interview! If you would like to participate in the link exchange and/or interviews, please contact me at Maria@BachmansSparrow.com

With all the ways to communicate, why does it seem we never get beyond the surface?

Perhaps today’s title is a bit of a hyperbole, but I do believe that more than not, our inability to communicate is a large cause of emotional and even physical pain. Misunderstandings, arguments, self-consciousness: these all tend to stem from miscommunication or a lack of communicating at all. Why is it that we find it so hard to voice the thoughts that float inside our minds, to control the way we express our ideas, to articulate our hurts, loves, short-comings, etc.? In part I think it has to do with our socialization; that is, what type of behavior is “acceptable” in society. Being open with our feelings can come across as “socially awkward”, “rude”, or even clustered together with a “hippie liberal agenda” (lol!). Mostly though, I think it is out of fear of rejection – worrying how the receiving end will react to what we are saying.

Before I get too much into this, I’ll give you a quick anecdote to explain why this topic has been on my mind. Lately I’ve been counseling girls who’ve been experiencing rejection. Listening to each of their individual stories, I realized there were several common themes: both girls were experiencing the same feeling that the other one had hurt them, neither side had talked to the other about how they were feeling, and while they were still friends, there was this constant annoyance that would quickly rear it’s head with the smallest provocation. These hurts had been with them for YEARS, just hanging out in the back of their minds. In less than 10 minutes of having them talk to each other finally about their feelings, a resolution was found and relationships were mended. You’d be surprised of how much you can accomplish by just speaking to people about what’s going on inside!

So here’s my advice: openly communicate, but communicate properly. The second part is probably the hardest – heck I have a degree in communications and I still have issues lol. There are some basic “rules” that I’ve learned along the way though that I’ll share: For any serious talks, do it one-on-one. Don’t bring up an issue in front of a group, this will only make them more defensive or embarrassed to communicate back. Make it a comfortable setting, this will increase the chances of a positive reaction. If they absolutely won’t listen to, then you may need to bring in a neutral third party you both respect. When you are expressing your feelings, talk about you, not them. Instead of using statements like “you made me feel this way” or “you caused this…” talk about how a situation made you feel. If you make the person feel attacked, they will quickly become defensive and zone out any points you might have. Approach them like whatever you are talking about (whether good or bad) is a team effort to accomplish. Be honest, not hurtful. My pastor always talks about sandwiching correction with love. Basically, you can approach any situation out of love instead of anger or trying to hurt them back. It’s your choice how well it goes – what are you trying to get out of it? Take time to cool off. Pretty self explanatory . Finally, just be open. I’ve seen unrequited love last for far too long just because the person didn’t want to say anything so that they could hold on the the hope of it one day being returned. Just get it over with! Stop wasting time – it’s way too precious. (Bonus: being open with your compliments as well; there may be someone who really needs to hear that encouragement!).

There’s no way I can totally go into this topic in one post, but it definitely has been something I’ve wanted to tackle. Also, I know that you all are not like me and can probably communicate quite well. But for those who do lack in this area, I encourage us to start stepping up our communicating skills. It really will save you and those around you a lot of grief in the end.

What are your tips for better communication? How well do you express yourself? Let me know!

Clockwise from top: Tiffany playing cards, $30; Girl Scout Thin Mints ($7?); Lucy’s “Predic-a-Mints” mints in a tin, $4; CO Bigelow’s Mentha Smoothing Body, $14; Mint ice tea; ModCloth’s “Park It” dress, $47.99; Smith’s Minted Rose lip balm, $8

Whether it’s for eating or smelling, or simply a beautiful shade of green, I absolutely adore mint. So slip on a beautiful floral dress, dab your lips and pop in your mouth a minty concoction, play a few hands of Euchre at a tea party, and relax with refreshing wash to have a fabulously minty day!

Are you as gah-gah over mint as me? What is your favorite herb? And what color palette is speaking to you lately? Let me know!

PS – don’t forget to check out day three of my makeup challenge here!

racy lacy

Whenever I thought of lace I would either picture matronly schoolmarmish outfits or over the top lingerie. Neither a category I’d say is suitable for everyday wear . However, I have finally come around to accepting the romantic textile into my wardrobe, and let me tell ya, lace will make you feel good. In a modern cut, it is ultra-feminine with a bit of rogue Gothic (I’m talkin historical) aftertaste.

How I’m wearing it:

Cap sleeve DIY top
Urban outfitters wrap skirt (absolutely love the gold details and Asian-inspired print!)
Mootsie Tootsie peep-toe bow embellished kitten heels
Anthropologie rhinestone bracelet
Urban Outfitters rock and chain necklace (the natural elements really contrast well with the otherwise fairly tailored look, mmm!)

little adventurer

Today I’m heading over to a going away party for a couple of my friends. I’ll admit I’ve been feeling a bit down and out lately. Many of my companions are at that age where it’s time to start thinking about the next stage of life – having kids, moving for work or school, etc. It’s simply me being selfish, but I’ve become content with how things are and the growing pains haven’t been fun. Mais, c’est la vie! I just hate saying goodbyes…

Like the look? Let me know! Also, don’t forget to follow my makeup challenge daily on my FB Fanpage!

What you will need:

• Tank or spaghetti strap top
• Lace (look for it in ribbon form, it’s so much easier when it has a band sewn into it)
• Needle and thread
• Optional gold fabric paint

Step One:

Pin your lace ribbon on the inside of both straps so that they are completely covered with the it. Cut the ribbon once it is completely pinned to get the right length. I bunched and pinned each ribbon end so that it would curve into the shirt rather than have square edges.

Step Two:

Sew both sleeves into place. I used a sewing machine, but you can hand-stitch it easily as well.

Step Three (optional):

The Ralph Lauren sleeves have gold thread, so I took a bit of gold fabric paint and added some touches of glitter to the lace. It really adds to the wow factor!

Once your shirt is dry, you are finished! I love how elegant the lace makes a basic cotton top look, can’t wait to wear it!

Are you a fan of lace, or do you think it’s a textile of the past? Would you try this diy? What diy projects are you working on? Let me know!

credit: weheartit.com

So I’ve been totally inspired by many of my fellow fashion bloggers and the various challenges they are tackling. I’m impressed by the way many of you are pushing yourselves to try new things with your look, both economically and practically. Definitely a big kudos from me!

In response to all of this, I thought about an area that I could use a little challenge on. If you’ve been reading Bachman’s Sparrow for awhile, you will remember that one of my New Years’ goals was to push myself in the makeup department. You all remember my three minute makeup video? That’s been my look for the past few months or so, lol! Time to step it up. So, for the next month (excluding weekends), I’ve decided that I will force myself to do something different with my facial paint everyday. I’m really hoping that this works out.

So, if you’d like to follow along, I’ll be posting a picture a day on my Facebook Fanpage; I’ll be putting up my first picture there today! If any of you have some great inspirational beauty photo links you’d like to share in the comments for me to attempt this month, I’d greatly appreciate it!

What challenges have you been taking on lately? How do you keep yourself motivated? Let me know!