happy friday + that mom guilt...

Oh man, this week has been a doozy. I seriously over-booked myself and scheduled in way too many projects, photo shoots, and other work meetings into one week. While I continually tell myself not to over-commit, sometimes you're excited about so many things that you can't help but say yes! This busy week meant that I was away from Ruby more than usual, and that dreaded mom guilt kicked in. I saw her for only two hours yesterday, and I just about cried when I got home at 11:30pm at night, exhausted, and waiting till she woke up this morning so I could see her little smiling face.

With her first real Halloween coming up (last year she was a tiny ball of a newborn, so we didn't dress her up), I've also been coming to terms with all the halloween costumes, birthday parties, and other events in my future that involve craftiness of some sort. I'm not one of those moms who can whip out a sewing machine and put together a felt costume from scratch, nor can I make a three-layered cake from scratch in an afternoon. Sure, I can put together great ideas, come up with a fun theme, and find the various elements needed to put it together...but Martha Stewart, I am not. I'd much rather find a great halloween costume on Etsy or mix and match bunch of cool ready-made decorations to put together something special for an occasion. Last night, a good friend was reminding me that I don't have to be that mom who makes everything from scratch or be super domestic. Ruby will learn to love the type of mom that she has...my strengths and weaknesses and all. I just need to remind myself of that too...

I hope you guys have an amazing weekend! I'm looking forward to a little R&R for sure...

ps. look whose favorite new word is "Goodbye".

{Instagram photo of Ruby eating a pickle for the first time. She actually liked it despite this expression!}

leaf bracelets...

...and a whole lot of amazing patterns filled Mara Hoffman's Spring 2013 show. I mean, these dresses and their colors? Yowza.

{images via StyleBistro}

{how i'd wear} a denim blazer...

In the last of my denim outfits this month, I thought I'd share my go-to piece for wearing over a dress or for evenings out'a denim blazer. I tend to go in waves in wearing blazers...sometimes it's my jacket of choice to layer on top of everything, and sometimes I worry that it looks too business-like. So, I love a chambray or denim version that makes it feel much more casual, yet adds a bit of structure to an otherwise feminine look...

{1. Kate Spade earrings, 2. French Connection sequin dress (this one too), 3. Ralph Lauren denim blazer, 4. Ban.do heart clutch, 5. ASOS heels. See this past month's denim outfits right here.}

 

{illustration by Jennifer Vallez for Oh Joy.}

blog, inc. book tour in sf + your blogging questions

Blog, Inc. is officially out and available on Amazon! As we approach October'the official publication month for my new book'I'm getting prepping for the 2nd stop of my book tour next week in San Francisco on Thursday, October 4th from 6:30-8:30pm, with a special Q&A from 7-7:30pm! For those of you in the Bay Area, you can RSVP right here and see all dates and cities right here.

Also, since we're have a Q&A at every book tour stop, for those of who not in a city where I'm headed, I thought it would be fun to answer some of your blogging questions here during the month of October. So, please ask away, and I'll answer some in upcoming posts next month!

we're a team...

This weekend, Bob and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary (and 16 years together in total!). When we celebrated our first anniversary, we decided not to exchange gifts and instead, take a trip when we could. But even when we couldn't make a vacation happen, we'd always make sure to give each other a card. With this in mind, I knew I wanted to make him a card since that would be the anniversary gift.

The funny thing is around the time we started celebrating our anniversary, I actually had a card line. But when it came to making something for Bob, I had to go the complete opposite end of what my aesthetic was and design something for him I'd actually never make or sell to anyone....but something that would be pretty funny for both of us. So, I began the tradition of making this reoccuring series of anniversary cards that changes each year based on what we're doing or into at the time. I can't believe I'm sharing my terrible cartoony drawings with you guys, but I hope you get a kick out of them...

{how i'd wear} a dotty denim top...

It's finally cooling down a bit after a serious heatwave we'd had here in LA over the last couple weeks {105 degrees and our power went out over the weekend!}. I'm looking forward to slightly cooler temperations and kind of itching to wear more layers...and boots! Here's the third of my favorite denim looks this month with a fun update to the classic denim shirt....a polka dotted version!

{1. Dotty top by J.Crew, 2. Jess LC necklace, 3. ShoeMint neon satchel, 4. ASOS jeans, 5. Guess glitter boots}

{illustration by Jennifer Vallez for Oh Joy}

some things i'm loving...

The sun is starting to set a little later, and we're getting that cool breeze just as it turns to dusk. So I'm loving these slightly muted and dusty colors offset with hints of wood, gold, and black...

 {left to right, top to bottom: Made by Hank bag, vintage gold coat hangers (if only they weren't a million dollars) Emerson Fry coat (and pretty much the entire fall collection), gold animal candle holders by Hank & Hunt for The Sweetest Occasion, Atelier de Troupe sconce,  Fishs Eddy heart cutting board, laundry basket from Ferm Living.} 

babies in oh joy...

Ever since my baby clothing collection with Winter Water Factory launched a few months ago, it's been so fun seeing other babies wearing the pieces. I had to share some of my favorites with you here. You can see more tiny babes in the clothing right here, and get your hands on the limited edition pieces (ahem, holidays are coming!) before they're gone...

ps. Thanks to all the moms who shared these photos of their little ladies! 

what we did in chicago...

We spent most of last week in beautiful Chicago. Bob had a conference for work, so I managed to coordinate it with my Chicago book party so that we could take a little family trip all together. It was such a fun and leisurely week in one of my favorite cities.

Normally when I travel, I have a huge list of things I want to do and places I want to eat. But with having to fit in baby naps and lugging around a car seat to get around in a taxi, I chose not plan anything and figure things out day-by-day. It was so not me, but so perfect for this trip. Ruby and I got to explore Chicago by foot without having to worry about our usual play dates, appointments, or work commitments. We met up with a few friends, fit in in a work meeting (a very kid-friendly one), and found fun places to eat on the fly. Being in Chicago sure made me missing living in a walkable city. I'd totally live there...if only it wasn't so darn cold in the winter...!

ps. I did a fun live chat with Levo League yesterday chatting about blogging and business. You can see the archived chat right here (skip over the bit of pause at the 3 min mark)!

{Photos by Oh Joy, bottom photo by Vanessa Churchill. Above: Doughnuts from Glazed and Infused (the chocolate and lemon flavors were INSANE), SmileBooth photos from my Chicago book party (thanks Katie for this post!), Lemon Meringue cupcakes from More, Passion fruit Tart from Floriole.} 

{how i'd wear} a denim shirt...

I'm currently living in this denim shirt, and using it in place of a traditional jean jacket. So I share a couple different ways I'd wear it with the last of my summery wardrobe pieces as we transition into fall...

{1. Denim shirt by Madewell, 2. bright skinny belt from Justice, 3. Matine scalloped clutch, 4. Free People shorts, 5. ASOS skirt, 6. Schier shoes, 7. ASOS flats.}

{illustration by Jennifer Vallez for Oh Joy}

mix masters...

You might know I love mixing and matching color and pattern in my wardrobe and in my home. I find so much inspiration on what works from brands who really push the envelope and who aren't afraid to really shake things up. Ban.do always does an amazing job when it comes to hair accessories, and their new black label collection is gorgeous.

Falcon Wright's patterned bags mix color, hand-drawn patterns, and colorful leather so well. These bags feel like pieces you'd wear right off the pages of some amazing comic book.

And J.Crew keeps killing it in the "mix-and-match for everyday" department. Just take a look at this peek from their new Spring 2013 collection coming out next year. Seriously, love!

make someone happy: no. 01

 

I'll never forget that morning 11 years ago as I watched the world change forever. As I took the subway from Brooklyn into Manhattan on my way to work, I watched it all unfold from my stalled train under the Manhattan Bridge. The ability to see the strength in people and the joy we can bring to one another when we're down came alive for me after that day.

For the last few months, I've been thinking a lot about what brings me joy. Sure, I love a good polka dotted top or a great hair accessory...but making other people happy really tops that list. So, I've decided to start a new series called "Make Someone Happy". Once or twice a month, I'll share something you can make, do, say, or give someone simply to bring a smile to someone's face. Maybe it's something you do for someone you love...or maybe it's a for complete stranger. Those moments of happiness are so important to give others...especially on a day like today... 

ps. Special thanks to Jihan from Geronimo Balloons for being my special guest & for letting us film in her beautiful studio!

{video by Modshift, music by "In Love" by The Hugs - licensed from With Etiquette, my dress by Anthropologie, shoes by Kate Spade from a past season, belt is vintage, hair pouf by Ban.do.}

some {round} things i'm loving...

Just some round-ish little things I'm loving lately...

{left to right, top to bottom: necklace by Cursive Design, multi-cultural mobile by Little Edie, fabric from Kicoli, Elizabeth Huey print, Russian children's book covers via Words & Eggs, mini me photo by Sandra Friej for Marimekko, Kate Spade bag, neon star baby  & mama shoes by Anniel, teak honey jar from Terrain.}

to gift or not to gift?

I can't believe Ruby's first birthday is coming up next month! In-between prepping for my book tour, I'm trying to figure out what we'll do for her birthday. We're thinking about having her party be a no-gift party'we have such limited space in our house {and terrible storage}, she has plenty of toys, and I feel like she won't really enjoy the idea of presents until she's a little older anyway. I'd rather have our friends and family come, eat great food, and just celebrate our one year with Ruby. Or even donate to a charity, instead. What do guys think? Is she missing out if we ask guests not to bring presents? If you were invited to a no-present party and were asked to donate to a charity instead, would you actually do it? ' Joy

p.s. Thanks SO much to everyone who came to Wednesday's book signing in Chicago and to West Elm for hosting. I had so much fun meeting and chatting with all of you! To the girl with the mint green bag who asked me about having more babies, can you shoot me an email (hello[at]ohjoy.com)?

See you in a few weeks San Francisco!

{Instagram photo of Ruby at 10.5 months}

{how i'd wear} a denim vest...

For the past 10 years, I've avoided denim tops like the plague. Maybe it's because I wore my last denim jacket {from the summer of 2000} to the ground and haven't looked back since. But lately, I've been loving denim jackets and tops again as they as a casual nod to any outfit. So, this month every week, I'll be sharing some of my favorite ways to wear denim tops with the help of illustrator, Jennifer Vallez. Today's denim vest adds a bit of an edge to an otherwise feminine outfit.

{1. J.Crew denim vest, 2. sequined collar from Ruche, 3. Garance for Kate Spade sweatshirt, 4. patterned clutch by Falcon Wright (similar).  5. Paige dotted jeans (similar), 6. Steve Madden suede heels.} 

{illustration by Jennifer Vallez for Oh Joy}

a little facelift...

You might notice a little redesign showing up today. With a bit of a change I mentioned on Friday, I thought it was also time to update the blog design. The inspiration from the new design comes from the wall above my desk. I bought a bunch of these vintage pant hangers five years ago, and didn't know what to do with them until I began decorating my studio last year. They ended up being perfect for displaying prints, images, fabric, and other things that are currently inspiring me.

I love that this wall is always changing, and I'm constantly hanging up stuff I find and come across. My blog is meant to be the virtual, sharable version of what's on my wall, so why not bring that feeling to my blog as well? And then I worked with Maricor/Maricar to embroider an updated version of my logo. Didn't they do an amazing job? Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the little update! We're still working out some tiny kinks so please let me know if you have any issues or have any quirks on your browser. Thank you!

ps. We arrive in Chicago yesterday for the week. Look forward to seeing some of you tonight for the first stop on my book tour!

{photo by Oh Joy}

happy friday + bringing it back home...

As I approach seven years of blogging next month, I've been feeling a change coming. I didn't know exactly what that change was for a while, but I knew I've felt disconnected from my site. Partially because I'm not in front of my computer quite as much while being a new mom to Ruby, but also because I wasn't posting all of my content anymore.

I have been so lucky to work with an amazing group of contributors over the last few years. And I would not have been able to continue to generate the consistency, quality, or diversity of posts that we've had without the help of Bekka, Bri, Joanna, Nikole, and Liz. They were crucial in maintaining the weekly columns over here over the last few years. But, I've decided that the change I needed is to take it back home and go back to posting all of the content on this blog myself. It's bittersweet because I have grown so fond of my contributors, and they all bring something to this site that I couldn't have done all by myself. Thank you, ladies, it's seriously been an honor working with all of you...

Part of being a business owner often involves growth, hiring employees, delegating out work to others who are better at you in some things and also for when you simply don't have time to do everything yourself. I fully believe that is often necessary for businesses to grow. And at the same time, I also believe in trusting your gut and knowing when you need to take a step back and make things more intimate, even if that means you can't offer as much quantity that way. So with this change, I'll be posting once a day {maybe two on occasion} instead of the typical 2-3 posts per day that I've had for the last few years. This blog will still have the same types of posts and topics that I initially began with and I still love, but as of next week, I'll no longer be working with regular weekly contributors for posts.

I will continue to work with some talented freelancers'a photographer, videographer, illustrator and more'to help capture my ideas and bring you posts and content in new ways. And I have some really fun collaborations that I'm working on which allows me to create more in-depth posts {see more about that in my FAQ's}. It will still be Oh Joy...in some ways going back to how I started, and in some ways moving forward in a new direction.

Finally, I want to take this chance to thank all of you for reading this blog for however long or short you have been. I've always told myself that I'll continue to blog as long it's interesting, fun, and rewarding for me. Connecting with all of you through your comments, emails, and tweets, and the people I've met over the last 7 years is what makes this blog so enjoyable and meaningful. Have a great holiday weekend, and I look forward to sharing this new chapter with you soon... ' Joy

{photo by Bonnie Tsang from her Breakfast Series}