1. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter
Quirky, a bit unconventional, honest, and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks. We are pretty much the same person...we also have amazing style!
2. Jess from New Girl
I watch this show and laugh so much! Quirky and totally awkward...twins separated at birth.
3. Chantry from What If
Someone told me I needed to watch this movie because Chantry reminded her of me. I watched it and could kinda see what she was saying....plus I wouldn't mind kissing Harry Potter (I mean Daniel Radcliffe).
4. Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom
Prematurely jaded and world weary. Decides to runaway and be happy...pretty much sums up my life.
5. Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls
Sometimes it's okay to like cute stuff and want to make cute stuff. :)
What fictional character do you identify with the most?
Friday, May 29, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Art Throb: Tuesday Bassen
I am a huge advocate for supporting handmade and the arts. I love supporting rad people and the things they create. Sometimes I love an artist so much that I just want to buy all the things! Today I'm sharing my current crush and art throb (get it like heartthrob) Tuesday Bassen.

I found out about Tuesday through the Instagram explore page and loved her bad ass illustrations. I enjoy watching the videos of her outlining her illustrations with a super steady hand, checking out her collaboration with Hello Holiday, and I want to join her Ugly Girl Gang.

This lady is busy and you can find her working on so many rad projects from cards, zines, tees, and so much more. I love my phone case from her Society 6 shop and the tee I snagged from Cotton Bureau.

So take some time to check out her website, shop, and Instagram account and give this illustrator some love + support. Who is your current Art Throb?

I found out about Tuesday through the Instagram explore page and loved her bad ass illustrations. I enjoy watching the videos of her outlining her illustrations with a super steady hand, checking out her collaboration with Hello Holiday, and I want to join her Ugly Girl Gang.

This lady is busy and you can find her working on so many rad projects from cards, zines, tees, and so much more. I love my phone case from her Society 6 shop and the tee I snagged from Cotton Bureau.

So take some time to check out her website, shop, and Instagram account and give this illustrator some love + support. Who is your current Art Throb?
Friday, May 22, 2015
5 Nerdiest Things I've Ever Done
I've always been kinda eccentric and nerdy, but I haven't really done anything too crazy like tattoos or LARP-ing, although I was around for a LARP-ing session once and I was super confused. Sadly I don't have pictures of all my nerdiness, but I'll try to recount a few.
1. Dyed my hair purple so I could look more like Sailor Saturn
In high school, I was really into Sailor Moon, and so were some of my friends. They did fun stuff like make Sailor Moon playlists (on tape), and assigned everyone a Senshi and I got Sailor Saturn (Not sure how they picked them, maybe birthday's or characteristics). On my best friend's last day of high school we were going to a big lunch date with everyone and I had a friend dye my hair purple to play my part. I'm kinda shy about dressing in costumes, but I'll dye my hair any day!
2. Ran around a salon cheering, "I look like Jerrica!"
When I was little I loved Jem and the Holograms. I doubt it was my first haircut, but it's the 1st I remembered. I got a sweet lob like Jerrica (my hair was weirdly yellow from being outside too much). I was ecstatic that I looked just like like her and promptly let the world know...a lot!3. Joined a beginners ballet class in college.
I've always loved ballet, but growing up they didn't offer any classes where I lived. I guess I was going through a post break up crisis in college and decided I was going to do everything I've ever wanted to do. So I sign up for classes, pay for a month's worth and buy a ton of cute ballet stuff...and the beginner class is for 5 year olds. My sister went with me and was the only witness to my embarrassment of being assigned the part of Glinda the Good Witch.
4. Waited in the freezing cold to see She & Him
As much as I love Zooey Deschanel, I have to say this was not worth it. A friend and I waited for hours to have a good spot at this outdoor concert during SXSW 2010. Of course it was running late, and then Zooey couldn't figure out how to turn on her keyboard, and it was a big let down....like many live shows are. Needless to say I'm still a fangirl and will buy the albums, but I won't freeze to death to see them live again.
5. I was in a punk rock band.
I played a bass guitar that I was more worried about putting stickers on than actually mastering and I wore that Spongebob wrist thing everywhere. I was such a nerd, but being in a band was cool. We had a lot of fun and that's what counts.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Happiness: A Business Theme Song
I've been reading business articles and books lately, trying to figure out if I'm making the right moves and what is the next move. I definitely don't have all the answers and I'm still as confused as ever, but I think trying to learn more is always a step in the right direction.
Recently I was reading an article (not sure which at this point) that asked about inspiration. What is my work inspired by? Of course all sorts of answers came to my complex little mind...coffee, cute stuff, adventure?? What inspired me as an art student in college? That one was easy, music. Almost every piece I made in college was inspired by music, Nirvana, Silverchair, Smashing Pumpkins...I can recall all the pieces I made inspired by these bands and more. I sort of had a running theme through college, but what was my theme now? What was Scrawny Girl's theme song?
I've been thinking about this for a few days. I wanted a song that inspired me and represented me and my work. How could one song encompass all that? Then I decided I was thinking too hard and needed to relax and just let the song come to me...and it did. This song was the embodiment of all sorts of themes in my art and life: happiness, cute, crazy, colorful, quirky, and just plain fun and catchy.
Happiness by Red Velvet
I figure my little business will go though many seasons of theme songs as it grows and I'm inspired by different things. I plan to collect them and make a playlist that I can always come back to for inspiration and motivation. That it will remind me why I'm doing what I'm doing and to keep going through the tough times.
What is your business' theme song? or your own personal theme song? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to check it out!
Recently I was reading an article (not sure which at this point) that asked about inspiration. What is my work inspired by? Of course all sorts of answers came to my complex little mind...coffee, cute stuff, adventure?? What inspired me as an art student in college? That one was easy, music. Almost every piece I made in college was inspired by music, Nirvana, Silverchair, Smashing Pumpkins...I can recall all the pieces I made inspired by these bands and more. I sort of had a running theme through college, but what was my theme now? What was Scrawny Girl's theme song?
I've been thinking about this for a few days. I wanted a song that inspired me and represented me and my work. How could one song encompass all that? Then I decided I was thinking too hard and needed to relax and just let the song come to me...and it did. This song was the embodiment of all sorts of themes in my art and life: happiness, cute, crazy, colorful, quirky, and just plain fun and catchy.
Happiness by Red Velvet
I figure my little business will go though many seasons of theme songs as it grows and I'm inspired by different things. I plan to collect them and make a playlist that I can always come back to for inspiration and motivation. That it will remind me why I'm doing what I'm doing and to keep going through the tough times.
What is your business' theme song? or your own personal theme song? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to check it out!
Follow Friday: Kwanalee

Follow Friday is my ode to rad people on the internet. I love finding new people, blogs, and artist to follow. I hope you will check them out and show them some love for sharing their passion and lives with us!
Kendra Miller the artist behind Kwanalee is from Springfield, MO. I stumbled upon her art on the Instagram explore page. She paints and illustrates in all the geeky subject matter that I love!

All of her illustrations are bright, fun, and full of a quirky whimsy that makes me want to buy them all! Everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and even my love Jon Snow to make all your geeky decor dreams come true!

I love the collaboration she did with Culture Flock Clothing! This tote and t-shirt with the print that says Girls Like Comics Too has been a big hit! I get asked every time I wear mine out where I got it. I hope they continue to print this design and make it in kids sizes, because I know there are lots of little girls out there reading comics and kicking butt.

My Adventure to Star Comics Ladies Night
I'm a huge fan of Nerd Burger, and that's pretty much where I get all my comic book knowledge even though I don't really read a ton of comics. Not that I don't want to read comics, it's just one of those things that can be a bit intimidating...sorta like actually going to a comic book store.




I've already finished Jem and the Holograms and can't wait for issue 2 (which came out today)! I'm working my way through Lumberjanes now. I would definitely recommend Star Comics to anyone looking to delve into the world of comics. The staff was super nice and it's super organized, making it easy to find the genre you're interested in.

What comics do you recommend? I'll be heading up to Star Comics this weekend for Free Comic Book Day!

Photo by Amanda Raylee Photography
While at the Lubbock Arts Festival a couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon a booth about Lubbock Con + Star Comics and saw a rad flyer about Ladies Night and picked it up right away.
Banner made by Sam Gaitan
Everyone was encouraged to dress up. I'm not big on costumes, but I am big on the everyday cosplay. I decided to wear my Bee and Puppycat shirt from We Love Fine and a cute jumper to keep it casual.
Picture by Amanda Raylee Photography
There were a few comics that I know I wanted to pick up. Obviously I needed all the Bee and Puppycat and Lumberjanes. Here are few of the others I grabbed:
I've already finished Jem and the Holograms and can't wait for issue 2 (which came out today)! I'm working my way through Lumberjanes now. I would definitely recommend Star Comics to anyone looking to delve into the world of comics. The staff was super nice and it's super organized, making it easy to find the genre you're interested in.

Picture by Amanda Raylee Photography
Another reason why I really wanted to go was to meet other geeky ladies! I was really nervous because I'm pretty much a hermit these days and my people skills range in the super awkward realm, and I don't know a lot about comics...but I did talk to several ladies and everyone was super nice. I'm excited for the prospects of a local Geek Girl Brunch chapter and the upcoming local comic cons.What comics do you recommend? I'll be heading up to Star Comics this weekend for Free Comic Book Day!
Find SG at The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair
This weekend (May 2nd + 3rd), just in time for Mother's Day gift shopping, you can find a limited selection of my Harry Potter character earrings + pins at The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair in Kansas City, MO.


Here is a peek at some of the wands that will for sale at the event.

Violet's Buds also made these super fun truffuala trees to sell! These would make a great prop for photo shoot or even for brides maids to carry!

There will be music, food trucks and other rad vendors. It sounds like it's going to be a super fun event! So stop by, say hi, and support handmade if you live in the area! xo

Photos by Melanie Gipson
You can find my products along with Violet's Buds beautiful house colored hair clips for your everyday cosplay and Gipson Wands enchanting wands to step up your Harry Potter cosplay.
Here is a peek at some of the wands that will for sale at the event.

Violet's Buds also made these super fun truffuala trees to sell! These would make a great prop for photo shoot or even for brides maids to carry!

There will be music, food trucks and other rad vendors. It sounds like it's going to be a super fun event! So stop by, say hi, and support handmade if you live in the area! xo
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