I spent the weekend in Halfway, Oregon, a sleepy town with a population of less than 400. Because of the slow pace (and lack of cell phone reception and wifi), two days felt like five and it was one of the most relaxing weekends I’ve had in years. I have so much more to share about this voyage but for now, here’s what I wore during my stay at the local bed & breakfast. I spotted this ASOS dress on Gala awhile back and I knew I had to have it. It’s a soft, unstructured cotton that was comfortable enough for the six hour drive each way.

I Wore:

Skater Dress with Contrast Piping, ASOS
Patent Heels, Dries van Noten

My outfit was heavily inspired by the color combo of my new BFF, Rhubarb (below). Isn’t she adorable?! I’ll be sharing more about how I met Rhubarb and my life-altering Halfway visit this Friday.

P.S. The winner of the Motel giveaway is Ivy drawn via Random.org). Congratulations!!

Welcome to part two of our adventures in Vegas! If you’re just tuning in, catch up on part one here.

Thursday / Day 04

We started off our morning passing the faux Arc de Triomphe on our journey towards more dark casinos and gigantic malls. My favorite shops are tucked inside Ceasar’s Palace and it’s always a trip stopping by there because marble, fountains and statues are everywhere. Oh, and let’s not forget the massive portraits of Elton, Celine and Rod.

We engaged in a bit of window shopping but finally found our holy grail inside the MAC Pro store, with walls merchandised in an array of rainbow pigments.

After posing next to an amazing bronze Sigfried & Roy statue, showgirls and a group of Elvises, we took a break in front of a McDonald’s to eat some ice cream.

A Michael Jackson impersonator with a striking resemblance to Corey Feldman in pancake makeup would not stop giving us the eye. But man, could he dance! Multiple awkward crotch thrusts later, we said our goodbyes moved onto our next adventure.

That night, we found another winner for dinner, Holstein’s. Located inside the Cosmo, they specialize in gourmet burgers and booze-filled shakes. I had the best vegan burger of my life, seriously. They take American fast food to a whole new level.

Because we’d been so busy in the days leading up to our shoot, we’d barely had time for a drink (I know, I know…in Vegas, that’s nuts.) So, we ventured out to Bond, a glamorous crystal and LED-drenched hangout with cushy seating and massive chains (?!). This bar was a definite highlight of the trip.

One drink later, we moved on down The Strip. With the promise of free admission, we were lured into King Ink inside The Mirage with a tattoo parlor in the back…but the place was completely dead. We did what any other visitor would do on their last night in paradise: we made our own party, dancing through the center of the back patio. When in Vegas, one thing you’ll quickly notice is that music is piped in everywhere. You’ll find tunes blaring all along The Strip, whether it’s at the Bellagio water show (my favorite was when the fountains moved in time to Billie Jean) and coming from every restaurant, bar and hotel complex at top volume. If you’re in the mood, just dance your way through it all, like we did. Gala, Kat and I had dance-offs every morning and night in the Cosmo elevator to fellow passenger’s horror (some looked away, others wouldn’t even step in).

Friday / Day 05

I have no idea how five days flew by so quickly but we weren’t quite ready to drown away our sorrows. Instead, Gala and I danced down the strip one last time, past the Bellagio fountains and into the beautiful Chinese New Year-themed gardens.

After a few more last-minute peeks inside glamourous boutiques, it was time to hop in a cab to catch flights back to opposite coasts. Vegas is what you make of it and this particular stay was pretty awesome. In hindsight, here’s a list of what I’m glad we did and what we’d do differently next time (because, there’s always a next time):

Things I Am Glad We Did

• We took the time to hang out at multiple casinos and people watch. Vegas is the people watching capital of the world. This is partly because big hair, false eyelashes, sequins, spray tans and miniskirts are all considered acceptable at all times.

• We tried a new restaurant every night. Because of this, we got to experience a variety of great atmospheres.

• We switched it up and stayed at a new hotel. When you stay at the same place every time, your surroundings become familiar and stale.

• We made multiple trips outside of The Strip. This gave us a better idea of what Vegas was like beyond the confines of the manufactured metropolis.

• We browsed but barely bought anything. We peeked into many stores and admired a lot of beautiful objects, but beyond that, we really focused on spending quality time together. Stuff is just stuff. Memories (and photos) last forever.

• We used every possible opportunity to dress up. There’s so many amazing sights to shoot and posing in jeans and a t-shirt just doesn’t convey the same energy. Vegas is one of the few places where you can truly go overboard so embrace it!

Things We Would Do Differently Next Time

• Bring more cash. The ATM fees average $5.00 on The Strip (ouch!) and cabs charge a hefty fee if you use your card.

• Check Yelp reviews before visiting restaurants. The newest, hottest places weren’t necessarily the best.

• Check out a few shows. We’d talked about seeing David Copperfield, Peep Show, Criss Angel and Bite. But time got away from us and we never had a chance to make it happen. This gives us an incentive to come back.

• Skip the room service. It tends to be overpriced and not very well done.

• Book a massage. We ended up walking a few miles a day and were exhausted at the end of each. Next time, I’ll leave more time at the end for some pampering.

Viva Las Vegas! Have you been? Did you love it or loathe it? Anything we should add to our list for next time?

After pulling a stress-filled all-nighter to deliver a bundle of client work, I boarded a plane bound for Vegas Monday afternoon. My mission for the week was simple: to take a much needed break from work, escape reality and spend some quality time with friends.

A lot has changed since I first visited Las Vegas back in 1998. This time, Gala and I both wanted to stay at the newest and most buzzed about hotel on the strip, The Cosmopolitan. With a sophisticated, urban vibe, mirrored surfaces and crystal chandeliers draped from every conceivable surface, it was an ideal choice in comparison to the overly gilded options we’d encountered during past stays.

Monday / Day 01

After quick flight from Portland and a five minute walk through the casino with my huge suitcase in hand, I arrived at our room at The Cosmo. It was love at first sight with the feeling of a glamorous apartment (The hotel was originally slated to be condos.)

For our first night in Vegas, Gala and I met up with our friends Kat and David McNeil for a drink at the lobby bar, Vesper, a shimmery tundra named after an obscure James Bond cocktail.

Afterwards, we hit a WPPI-related party at Planet Hollywood.

During our visit to The Gallery, we fell in love with a disco ball galaxy hanging from the ceiling as well as a carousel horse and rhinestone-encrusted tub. The highlight of the night was watching David take the stage and belt out a Bruce Springsteen tune. That Brit had all the lyrics down by heart!

Back at our hotel, I found my new home — a stiletto sculpture along the edge of the casino. Prime real estate, if you ask me.

Our night ended with ill-fated, overpriced room service. Just don’t do it, ever. From them on, we saved our pennies and hit the hotel concessions stand instead.

Tuesday / Day 02

Kat, Gala and I got off to an early start engaging in our favorite holiday pastime: shopping. We were in need of a few last minute shoot essentials but came up mostly empty-handed.

We took a short break in between the shopping madness to get our fortunes told by Zoltar. They were pretty damn good for a buck.

If you’re on the hunt for vintage, as we were, Vegas is a no-go. Really, don’t bother. After taking multiple cabs and walking miles through various parts of town, our search for vintage goodies was a complete bust (two of the stores were completely shuttered).

Between shopping, we visited Fremont Street for the first time. Fremont Street (also known as Glitter Gulch) was the first paved street in Vegas (1925) and is considered the older, original Las Vegas. It’s a fascinating trip through the past, complete with many of the original casinos from the 40s onward. Western themes and vintage typography are everywhere. Fremont is the real deal; it’s not the glammed up facade of The Strip.

Drinks are cheap and plentiful, the signs for showgirls and escorts are more graphic, and the once glamorous past along this street now feels distant and faded. Cab rides run around $20.00 each way from most of The Strip hotels.

Tuesday night was spent exploring the art and resturnts of the Cosmo (much to Kat & David’s dismay, Gala & I wanted to stop every 10 feet for a photo op) and feeling really anxious for our big shoot on Wednesday.

Wednesday / Day 03

The shoot we’d been planning for weeks was finally happening. Our hair & makeup team and photographers arrived at 9 am sharp and got to work. We ran through outfit pairings, threw our belongings into garbage bags and hit the road. The first location at Circus Circus was so much better than I could have imagined. I loved the old Vegas feel.

The scenery of the second location, a ghost town in Nelson, felt straight out of a movie and thanks to the team’s hard work, everything went off without a hitch. The entire day was brimming with a sense of optimism and willingness to come together in a way that I’ve rarely experienced.

That night, as we were cruising back towards The Strip in the rental car, blasting 80s rock tunes and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, I felt a surge of thankfulness to be a part of this experience with my friends.

Back at the hotel, we tiredly dragged garbage bags of clothing and vases of flowers through the long stretch of casino, resembling fallen showgirls swathed in feathers, sequins and taffeta.

All of our meals up until Wednesday night had been lackluster; this time, we weren’t leaving anything to chance. After scouring Yelp reviews, we decided on Mon Ami Gabi inside the Paris. If you’re grabbing a meal on The Strip, this is your place. The food was excellent and much more affordable than some of the other places we’d tried. Do make reservations; otherwise, the wait can run over an hour.

At the end of the day, I had a realization: the best moment of our trip had nothing to do with shows, shopping or glamour. It was by far the time spent in a dusty ghost town surrounded by amazing company. It’s hard to explain but Las Vegas is one of those places that can feel overwhelmingly lonely if you’re there alone. Wandering through dark casinos, I was acutely aware of how different my experience would have been had I not been vacationing with two close friends and taking part in big group-inclusive events. The artifice is fun but the people around you are what really bring the experiences to life.

Thanks for joining me for part one of this magical, glitz-filled adventure. Stop by tomorrow morning for part two!

I am so sad to be leaving Vegas today and saying goodbye to my two girl vixens, Gala and Kat. Our time together culminated in an all-day shoot on Wednesday involving Airstream trailers and a dusty ghost town at sunset (I can’t wait to show you more!) We’ve spent the last few days swathed in ruffles, lace and sequins, having dance parties in the elevator, posing with statues, avoiding creepy celebrity impersonators and obsessing over magicians (we’re talkin’ about you, David Copperfield). Moments like these make me incredibly thankful. A full Vegas recap brimming with the good, the bad and the sequined is coming soon!

On Monday, I landed in Las Vegas for a much needed girl’s getaway with Gala and Kat. Between strolling up and down the strip for hours on end, doing magazine edits, ordering overpriced room service in the middle of the night and soaking up the beauty of never-ending bright lights, this has been an amazing experience I’ll never forget. I hope you’re having a smashing week! Tune in for a two-part installment of The Week In Pictures beginning this Friday.

Every year, I like to dream up a new style direction as a goal to work towards. Late 2010 and most of 2011 was dedicated to a direction I dubbed Parisian Cyborg and that was super fun. A few months after that post debuted, I did go to Paris and wore a nearly identical look (I was definitely overdressed and the sleek, understated Parisians probably thought I was nuts).

So, what exactly does Ladylike Urban Warrior mean? Even though I love to feel feminine and adore makeup, dresses and sequins, I’m still drawn to the extreme and avant garde when it comes to fashion. The dress I’m wearing above (recently found on sale at Asos) in particular sums up my new direction because it’s a fairly classic silhouette but the neoprene material, laser-cut details and built-in harness add a modern twist.

Images: 1. Vogue, 2. Jessica Stam, 3. Givenchy Fall 2009 Couture, 4. L’Officiel Ukraine, 5. Unknown, 6. Unknown, 7. Vogue.

I find the idea of dreaming up a style direction really motivating and as a way to push ourselves into new sartorial territory. For most of December and January, I was working 10 to 12 hours every single day on an ad campaign and out of exhaustion, defaulted to a uniform of black jeans and sweaters. Mentally, I was completely drained and just couldn’t think beyond the basics in my wardrobe. I’ve since set a few goals, namely to wear more color, to accessorize with jewelry more often and finally, to add in some more color to my makeup routine (a current favorite is the MAC Double Feature 1 palette). To me, clothing is the equivalent of wearable art. It’s one of the most accessible forms of self-expression and occasionally modifying your personal style can be hugely inspiring.

Readers: Have you made any modifications to your look this year? How would you sum up your personal style?

I normally don’t post about interviews I’ve done on the front page of my blog (instead, the links go here) but I wanted to make a special exception for this interview that Kat of Rock n Roll Bride just shared. It’s probably the most thorough, in-depth interview I’ve done to date and touches upon how my business name transpired, my attitude towards handling criticism and how I first got started with blogging. I love Kat’s energy and unique questions — please take a look!

I spent the first day of 2012 freshening up and organizing my surroundings. I stocked up on new cleaning supplies, shredded a stack of junk mail, vacuumed my office, pulled all the receipts out of my wallet, recycled a massive stack of print-outs that were collecting dust in my flat files, cleaned out my closets and flipped through and recycled a stack of old magazines.

I also spent some time changing up my beauty routine. I was on vacation all week in Phoenix and took some time to get my hair trimmed and picked up some new makeup at the MAC counter. I loathe foundation (and hadn’t worn it in about 5 years) but remembered how well my skin photographed last year after a MAC makeover so I picked up Studio Sculpt and Skinfinish powder. Then, I painted my nails nude for the first time ever with Face Stockholm Unclear and applied one of my favorite eyeshadow combos, Double Feature 1 by MAC. Finally, I used a new (to me) scent: Chanel N° 5.

A clean, organized environment, a beauty routine change-up and some time to think. Not a bad way to spend the first day of the new year.

As I take one last look back at 2011, these are my favorite posts from this year’s archives. Enjoy!

Design

• 8 Design Books That I Love: A List of Personal Favorites.
• Tips And Tricks For Developing A Print Portfolio.
• Rock N Roll Bride Magazine: Issue 01.
• Debossed: Luke Copping 2011 Business Cards.

Travels

• Hello From Iceland.
• Hello From Hollywood.
• Hello From Paris.
• A Beginner’s Guide To Paris.

Fashion

• Dangerous.
• An Adventure In Paris: The White Dress.
• What I Wore: 9.13.11 // The Bowery.
• What I Wore: 4.9.11 // Big Stripes.

Organization

• Organization Tips And Tricks From A Virgo.
• How I Stay Organized On A Daily Basis.

Advice

• Do What You Love.
• Do What You Are Meant To Do Now.

Blogging

• How Do I Get My Blog Noticed?

Home

• Bavarian Modern.

Personal

• Elf Girl: My Journey To Ending Up On A Book Cover.

Have a safe New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you back here in 2012!

Looking back, 2011 has undoubtedly been one of the best years of my life. I got to pursue my passions full-on (graphic design and traveling), spent quality time with great friends and family, made a ton of progress revamping Wolfgang Manor and managed to cross quite a few items off my business to-do list. I’ve always found year in review posts to be refreshing because they remind you of all the great moments sandwiched between the struggles. These are some of my favorite events and memories of 2011.

The Magic of Paris: Winter 2011

Ever since I was a child flipping through my parent’s photo albums of Paris in the 80s, I felt a connection to the city. I wanted to visit Europe before I turned 30 and Gala was my perfect travel partner. Paris was everything I’d imagined it would be and more. We stayed in the Le Marais neighborhood and soaked up every moment of the grandeur that surrounded us.

In part because of the neighborhood and the boutique hotel we chose, I felt like I was in a fairytale (yes, that sounds cliché…but it’s true). Magic was around every corner, from the cafés to the shop window displays to the beautiful florists. Contrary to the general American consensus, everyone was polite and helpful (even to non-French speaking me). I can’t wait to go back.

Hotel du Petit Moulin: Winter 2011

A Christian Lacroix designed boutique hotel in the heart of the Marais? Yes, please! Each room in the Hotel du Petit Moulin is completely different but I knew which one I wanted to stay in. Gala repeatedly called poor Olivier who worked at the front desk, making sure we secured the perfect room. Complete with a wall-sized Lacroix illustration and a blood red bathroom with a heart mirror, it was love at first sight!

Shooting With Juliane Berry in Paris: Winter 2011

When you’re taking the trip of a lifetime with one of your best friends who also happens to be a blogger, it only makes sense to get some professional photographs to remember the occasion! Wedding photographer Juliane Berry was so gracious and since she’s originally form LA, there were no language barriers. Some of my favorite photos were captured in between bouts of bed jumping!

The Blue Lagoon: Winter 2011

As if visiting Paris wasn’t enough, Gala and I stopped in Iceland for a few day stay on our way back to New York. Neither of us could quite come down from the high that was Paris but on our last day, that all shifted when we boarded a Mercedes tour bus to the famous Blue Lagoon in a snow storm! As we ran towards the lagoon in our bikinis, getting pelted with icy snowflakes, the whole scene seemed slightly crazy but I’m glad we got to experience floating through the glowing blue waters (while wearing sequined mouse ears).

New York: Winter 2011

Planning a European vacation with Gala meant that I had to book a ticket from Portland to New York first. Conveniently enough, New York is my home away from home and I got to live it up with Bianca for a few action-packed days of clubbing, dance parties and one extra memorable champagne-filled brunch.

Nigel The Llama: Spring 2011

I’d fallen in love with Nigel the second I met him in downtown Portland one fateful night in 2008 and again in Eastern Oregon in 2009. When I heard that he’d be visiting Portland early 2011, I hung out with him on two separate nights. What a handsome fella.

Seattle: Spring 2011

Since Seattle is so close to Portland, I make a point to visit at least once a year. It’s even more fun now because Joey lived there for 10 years and always gives me the best tours. Just like any tourist, my favorite stop is always Pike Place Market.

Wallpapering Wolfgang Manor: Spring 2011

Joey and I had never wallpapered before but three hours later, The Woods had creeped across our dining room wall. Next up: the living room.

Rocky, The Perfect Pet: Summer 2011

Before Rocky came along, I’d never had a pet. In my entire life. At all. When I met Joey two years ago, he made it clear that him and Rocky were a package deal and it didn’t take me long to fall in love with this snow white, temperamental little creature known in the dog world as a Chinese Crested. I love this photo taken over the summer with his ‘bed head.’

There’s a First Time For Everything: Summer 2011

I never imagined that I’d ever try golfing but when I got an invite over the summer, it was way too entertaining to pass up. Truthfully, I sucked. But when I was finished, I was glad I’d tried something outside of my comfort zone.

Girl’s Trip to LA: Summer 2011

Gala and I always have the best time in LA due in part to staying at The Palihouse. Oh, and the unparalleled vintage shopping. And the palm trees. And the fresh, veggie-friendly food around every corner (gotta break up those In-N-Out visits). And Disneyland. And Jazzi and Mary Bee. And Amy and Kevin hauling us down Melrose for even more shopping.

Letterpress Business Cards: Summer 2011

I’d always admired letterpress cards from afar but let’s face it, they’re very expensive to produce! 2011 was the year that I decided to step it up and invest in the visuals of my business. I love the cards soooo much.

Elf Girl: Fall 2011

My elf shoe covered feet ended up on a book when my friend Anna, a designer for Simon & Schuster needed some original art for a cover she was designing. The outcome was beyond awesome.

iPhone Leads To Instagram: Fall 2011

The little details in life were amplified once I got ahold of an iPhone and joined Instagram. Being on Instagram made me notice everything around me with a newfound excitement and gave me an excuse to share things that made me smile but weren’t necessarily meaty enough to make a blog post out of. Needless to say, I’m smitten! If you’d like to add me, my username is nubbytwiglet (surprise)!

Print Portfolio Revamp: Fall 2011

Between running my own business and freelancing for a number of agencies, I never seemed to have the time to gather up the work I’d completed. The longer I waited, the more overwhelming it became. Finally, inspired by the custom covers I had made, I finished my print portfolio by early Fall. And it felt so good!

The Big 3-0: Fall 2011

Turning 30 is not something that should be taken lightly! I knew that I wanted to celebrate it surrounded by friends in New York and since my birthday is just one day after Gala’s, we combined our parties into a low-key gathering at Bedlam. Joey flew in just in time for my party and joined our eclectic mix of hyper-creative friends for a party we’ll never forget.

The Wondertwins: Fall 2011

For years, Bianca and I have jokingly referred to ourselves as The Wondertwins and we decided it was time to do a joint shoot (in matching dresses) in her living room. At midnight. Can you tell that we were having the time of our lives?!

Shooting With Lydia Hudgens: Fall 2011

I’d only known Lydia from brief online encounters but the second we met in person, we clicked (it doesn’t hurt that she’s also a Virgo!) She has a fantastic editorial sense and three shoots later, I’ve not only found a great photographer, I’ve also made a great friend.

Web Portfolio Revamp: Winter 2011

Perhaps even more daunting than completing my print portfolio was the web version I had in mind. Designed to be a sort of retrospective with projects ordered from the beginning of my career to the present time, it took a solid week to complete but getting that personal to-do item crossed off my list was a small victory.

My Cross To Bear: Winter 2011

After a three year hiatus from art, I wanted to get back to my roots and launched My Cross To Bear, a solo show at Sequential Art Gallery featuring a collection of 14 new pieces.

For 2012, I have a fairly clear vision (or list) of what I want to achieve. Remember, 2012 can be as big and as bright as you want it to be. Here’s to new dreams, resolutions and goals! Thanks for joining me on this journey.