Memorial Day Weekend is finally here!  Which means Summer is finally here!  And.I.Love.This.

I always feel alive this time of year -- full of plans, goals, and Bliss!  Life is good and there is so much to be excited for!  I say the same thing every Summer, "This is going to be the best Summer of my life!"  ...it always is.

Exciting Denver Events:
13th Annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival - Yaaa, for Colorado artists! Showcases over 130 artists all weekend long!  I took a walk downtown to check it out.... some really beautiful stuff!  In fact, now I feel inspired to paint again...
The Boulder Boulder - Why haven't I done this yet? It's a 10k race + beautiful Boulder scenery... Not gonna make it this year, BUT NEXT YEAR IT'S ON!

I just love living in Colorado.  We have the best weather.  I spent the day at the park sitting on a blanket with friends, playing music and throwing a football.  It almost felt cliche, like, if only someone would have packed a picnic then we'd be the cover of Better Homes & Gardens.  The whole situation was pretty much adorable.

Of course I didn't wear sunscreen.  Five hours at Cheesman Park seemed to fly by and so did my winter white skin.  Some lessons you never learn and today I'm sunburned.  Also, side note, I'm okay with it.

This is probably one of the most interesting/weird jewelry lines I've come across in a long time.   For most people, Barbie evokes some sort of emotion or memory and I think that's why I love this project so much.  

She is an American icon, representing everything from pop culture, feminism, perfection, and even sexuality... We all remember the "Barbie Girl" song.  It got a lot of negative attention as it portrayed Barbie as a sexual symbol, rather than the much loved child's toy.  Margaux Lange has no doubt received mixed reviews on her series of deconstructed Barbie parts,  but I have to say, well done.  It's called The Plastic Body Series.

>

Why I like Hipsters:

1. There wear a lot of hats.

2. I don't care if they drink PBR.

3. They aren't afraid to be dirty.

4. They wear tight pants and glasses.

5. Everyone else hates them, and I'm trying to be more ironic...

Why I hate Hipsters:

1. They are the reason Keds went up in price and no longer sold at K-Mart.

2. They are skinny enough to fit into envelopes.

3. They have a slight obsession with irony...

I can't remember the last time I was this productive in such a short period of time!  My mom came for a two day visit and together we went shopping, made jewelry, poured candles, and enjoyed some much needed catching up.

She brought her wire bending tools and taught me how to make jewelry.  I shared with her my knowledge of the "internets" and started her a blog and Etsy store... a fair trade, I thought.  Here is a look at some of our creations and the process behind them, all soon to be found on Etsy, my Ninth & Bird shop.

If only I would have known how cool my mom was when I was younger!  We had such a blast together.  Ironically, she's the one that wore me out.  Check out her new store on Etsy.com, Rosemary Station.  She's a beautiful women, talented, and one of my best friends.

Her name is Andrea.

Check her out on Etsy, MIRTA Jewelry, and read her recent interview.  I love reading up on the creative processes of other artists and seeing where they get their inspiration from.

1. BANANA REPUBLIC  |  beaded lei necklace  2. FOREVER 21  |  frenchie knit top  3. BANANA REPUBLIC  |  slubby stripe roll-up tee  4. ASOS  |  pippa lynn stripe mini tennis skirt  5. ANTHROPOLOGIE  |  rugby stripe blouson  6. TOMS SHOES  |  brown stripe rope sole  7. JCREW  |  boat shoes  8. PIXIE MARKET  |  matiko white perforated loafers

9. AMERICAN EAGLE  |  tie-dye denim shortie  10. JCREW  |  marina stripe ring bandeau suit  11. FREE PEOPLE  |  linen wideleg trouser  12. ALDO  |  krone wedges  13. AMERICAN EAGLE  |  beach tank