maxi many ways

I'm enjoying all the ways that Free People has styled this one piece of clothing (but in different colors). I know the modern designer of the maxi skirt doesn't have little 5-foot-tall ladies like myself in mind when they create these, but this first look makes me want to give it a shot, anyway!

inspired by :: supermarket sarah

Supermarket Sarah's insanely brilliant approach to online merchandising is awe-inspiring. Her work always makes me feel like I'm shopping in a cool indie boutique in London or NYC.

anthropologie botanical window display : spring 2011

I was doing a little shopping today in Cincinnati. It was nearing closing time when my friend and I were pleasantly surprised to discover a brand new Anthropologie store! We don't typically make an hour-long drive just to hit up a mall, so it was news to us that this store had recently sprung up here.

We only had about ten minutes to peruse the shelves, so we didn't leave with anything—though it's probably better on our pocketbooks that way. I snapped a couple of pics of their innovative window displays. Sorry they're a little blurry. I was trying to capture them and get out of there before mall security booted us out for over-staying our welcome!

The natural, botanical feel of the display was really pretty.

Look closer at those odd, cylindrical mounds...

They're wine bottle corks! I love how they're constantly re-purposing and juxtaposing old with organic. Oh, Anthropologie, you always get it just right...

all shiny and new!

Maybe you noticed something new happening around here? It's been a little over a year since I embarked on this Oh, Hopscotch! endeavor, and I thought it was time to give this place a design tune-up. Please let me know what you think of the new look. Also pardon my dust for about a week or so while I move some things around and make everything just right.

Thanks!

I'd also like to direct your attention over to Pugly Pixel.

This girl generates some amazing graphics and tutorials and sends it out into cyberspace with love for FREE. That's right, she asks for nothing in return, but perhaps a little credit. I borrowed her striped tape graphic, as well as some floral tape for my header. She also offers a membership that allows you access to tons more rad things. Check her out. You will not be sorry!

Happy Easter!

I wanted to take a minute to wish my "peeps" a happy Easter! Here's a little hint about a guest post that I'm working on for another blogger. I can't wait to share it with you. 

outside oslo fabric

These Outside Oslo fabrics by Jessica Jones of How About Orange are fantastic! Her use of color here, as usual, is impeccable. This collection comes in two color ways—Dusk and Dawn.

 Dawn

Dusk

quotabili-tee :: happy earth day!

It's looking like another jam-packed weekend for this girl. Easter, a bridal shower, and a local concert are all on the agenda. But what else is new? I hope you all have a great Easter. Whether you're the spiritual type or you just like to hunt eggs and eat chocolate bunnies, I wish you well!

Also, happy Earth Day. Let's all do something nice for our planet. I personally always make it a habit to recycle, walk instead of driving, and eat local & organic.

 

:: threadless ::

earth day shopping at Poketo

Happy Earth Day! The good folks at Poketo are offering some fantastic Upcycled leather pouches, purses, and cases right now. Sounds like the perfect Earth Day treat, right?

 pouches

 clutches

passport cases

kitchen accessories at ModCloth

I am loving these tea towels from ModCloth, especially those cute little bikes.

 chickadee delight  ::  cupboard

utensil  ::  soft spoken style

inspired by :: VHILS residency at the BLDG

Thought I'd share a couple of shots from The VHILS opening at the BLDG in Covington, KY from last weekend. All the work in the gallery he generated in his two week residency in the space. It was really interesting to get up close to his work, see the layers, and gather an idea of how he created it.

wanting :: pantone markers

Holy cow, Pantone now makes markers! I had two reactions when I first saw these. My initial instinct was to run screaming in the opposite direction because they reminded me of all the tedious hand-rendered marker drawings I was forced to produce in college. My hands are cramping just thinking about it... But my second feeling was, "cool! Look at all the pretty, organized colors"! Yes, if you haven't deduced already, I am easily swayed by shiny things.

Nonetheless, I think these are marvelous for specifying color on inspiration boards, rendering out a thumbnail, or just coloring in a pretty picture. You can find them here from Dick Blick. Warning, they are not exactly cheap!

sunday snack :: guacamole

AVOCADOS are pretty much an amazing fruit. They are high in Vitamins B, K, and E, as well as fiber and potassium. A really tasty and easy way to get some of this nutritional powerhouse in your diet is to make guacamole. I like to make a batch (which stays fresh for a day or two) and take every opportunity to eat it. The obvious way is as a dip, but I also like to put it on toast and sandwiches. It's a pretty good return on your time investment. It takes about 10 minutes to make, but is so very, very good and nutritious!

It seems like everyone has their own beloved guacamole recipe that they will swear by. We all have our own personal tastes, but I think this recipe is a pretty darn good one. If you get a chance to try it, let me know how it turns out for you!

P.S. Guac traditionally has cilantro in it, but my husband is one of those people that thinks it tastes like soap, so I omit it :)

Ingredients:

(yields about 5 servings)

• 2 ripe avocados (without seeds or skins)

• 1/8 cup finely diced red onion

• juice of 1/2 lemon

• 1 small clove of garlic, diced

• 1-2 teaspoons of Tobasco Brand Green Jalapeno Sauce

• pinch of salt

• pinch of ground pepper

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork until it reaches your desired chunky/smooth consistency.

2. Set aside, covered, in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes so that the flavors get a chance to combine. 

3. Now serve! I love to eat them with Blue Corn Flax Tortilla Chips. SO good!

approximate nutritional breakdown (per serving): 

calories - 119,  fat - 10.7g,  saturated fat - 1.5g,  sodium - 136mg,  carbohydrates - 7g,  fiber - 4.8g,  sugars - .3g,  protein - 1.5g

VHILS in covington, KY

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the street artist, VHILS. Then, by a strange coincidence, I've come to find that he is currently the artist in residence at The BLDG in Covington, KY and is making his reveal this Friday. Now, I just happen to be heading home from Lexington, KY that very night, and will most definitely make a stop off for this once in a lifetime event. Wow.

If you'll be in the Cincinnati or Covington or Midwest region for that matter, you should consider making the trip. I'm sure it will be more than worth it!

i'm back from chicagoland!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a weekend! I had such an amazing time taking in the sights, eating at local restaurants and getting to know a truly wonderful group of ladies (the only girl I knew going into this weekend was the bachelorette). Now I'm back to the grind, not so much rested, but considerably more relaxed!

Here's a picture of me and the lovely bride-to-be, Erin, reflected in the Bean, and looking even shorter than usual. She's the one in the yellow, and I'm the one next to her.

In addition to some really strange reading material (think Pottery Barn Teen catalogs & How to Care for Your Aging Parents) the loft that we rented for the weekend had a number of secret passages!
The thing I love about Chicago is the character and details that are in every direction you look. Here's the shadow of a fancy little fence that was outside of our loft in Old Town.
We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and scoped out some penguins.
... and some necking chimps!
... and of course giraffes!
Saw some awesome architecture
We had a couple of first timers in our group, so of course we went to see the Bean. It was everything they dreamed it would be. And more.
From Rome to Dayton... Our directions home on some interesting stationery.
I hope the iPhone pics aren't too annoying. I brought my Cannon with me, but didn't want to put my neck and back through the trauma of lugging it around :)

So I'd love to hear what you were up to this weekend. Do anything awesome?

quotabili-tee :: FUN FUN FUN!

Have any fun weekend plans? I sure do! I'm headed to Chicago! Fun Fun Fun! This is what keeps running through my head.

:: via Forever21 ::

inspired by :: all things chicago

Well friends, I am headed out to Chicago tomorrow afternoon for a bachelorette party and some much needed time away. Actually, I'm quite the globetrotter these days. Chicago this weekend, Lexington the next! I hope all of your weekends are also a blast. In the meantime, enjoy these little urban/Chicago themed goodies that I tracked down for you.

(click on the image to view larger)

background isometric urban print :: 1. map covered letter "c" :: 2. illinois custom cross stitch :: 3. chicago map pillow :: 4. cubs raglan :: 5. windy city iPhone cover :: 6. washington's arch print

erin + pete

This is Pete & Erin.

They are two rather wonderful friends of mine who are getting married next month. Since I like them so much, I offered to shoot some engagement pictures of them. Last weekend we ventured out to a local park and I got some picture-taking practice. I also have to thank my friend, Tessa. Without her amazing direction and quirky inspiration, these photos wouldn't be half as awesome.

These two have such great personalities that they made this easy on me! I sure hope that shows through in these images. Aren't they too stinkin' adorable?
Not too bad for my first engagement shoot, methinks... Congrats, guys! I can't wait until the wedding.