Pay It Forward..with your vote!

Hi there! How's your 2013 going so far?  One thing I decided I HAVE to do in 2013 is travel to Europe.  It's one thing I've been wanting to do for years, but year after year I put off because of work, money, and all those other little things in life that just seem to cut in line before my dream of traveling the world.  Maybe you can relate?  Not this year though, I put my foot down so the career, money, everything that kept me from going have to take the backseat at least for a bit.  I figured if I move out of my place in Los Angeles, sell some of my stuff (I also plan to move to New York this year) and store my car with some of my things at my parents house then I could manage to backpack through Europe for a month or so.  So that became the plan, the big plan for 2013.  

Rigggght until I heard about My Destination's Biggest Baddest Bucket List Competion where the winner will get to travel the world for six whole months! The opportunity to travel the world is one of my wildest dreams and deepest of desires in life.  So I decided to up the ante on my travel plans, the new goal being to enter the travel competition and well, win! Yeah, I know the concept of winning this is probably beyond ambitious, but then again ambitious is my middle name, well right after Nicole (my real middle name).  I'm not sure how its going to happen, but I'm trying to be optimistic.  So far I have 40 votes thats only like 2421 votes shy of being in the lead.  So my 31 followers, if you're reading this its your time to shine.  Yes, I need YOUR help and your magic social media skills :) In order to increase my votes I need people to share my video on facebook, Tweet it, Google +1 it, Stumble it, and Pin it to Pinterest.  Each click counts as a new vote! And you can do it at http://www.mydestination.com/users/natashanicole/bbb#tab 

I'm going to need to reach people way outside of my network and hopefully convince them share it with their network.  Reaching this insane goal starts with you. You are the first tier in expanding my reach.  Its simple to do, but that may not be a good enough reason for you to help me, I know.  I'm hoping that you'll do it out of the kindness of your heart, maybe you just believe in paying forward.. I can promise if you pay it forward to my by voting and encouraging your friends to do the same that I make the extra effort to support those working hard spread the word about their cause (be it about a blog, business, opportunity, whatever it may be) I want to help others, travel, inspire those around me and make a positive impact in the world.  If you have any advice for me I'd love to hear it :) Thanks for reading and for being a friend. You can watch the video I made below and CLICK HERE TO SHARE/VOTE YAY!

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

[xo] the garage gypsy

new year.

It's kind of sad to see 2011 go, it was a wonderful year.  Old friendships grew stronger, new relationships blossomed, but mostly I was introduced to and led down a new career path that will forever change my life.  As a result to 2011, I'm able to start 2012 with both feet on the ground, with foreseeable, exciting goals for myself, along with a sense of comfort and confidence in who I am and where I am going.  Sometimes you're in the backseat, sometimes you're riding shotgun, and sometimes you're in the driver's seat.  They're are all good places to be, you need them all to gain perspective, the key is to not remain in one seat for to long - otherwise you might lose touch with all that you once knew.   I don't mean to get all philosophical here, but I think it's interesting.  You can't appreciate being in the driver's seat if you didn't spend your share of time in the backseat first.  I don't think you can reach your full potential without transitioning from all three either.

Aside from all of that goodness, here's a little video I created on my iPhone from my New Years Night spent with my friends in Los Angeles.  Gotta love the capabilities of an iPhone :)  It was a fun night, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to missing my three best friends, unfortunately we all reside in completely different states these days.  Miss you guys XOXO

production.

For the last few months I've been whisked away on various productions (from short films, music videos to commercials, and shorts for Funny Or Die).  I only started styling in February of this year, and prior to that the idea of being a wardrobe stylist was simply a far off idea of "oh yeah, that'd be fun.. but I wouldn't even know where to begin" career.  I've always been very keen on knowing exactly what I want and figuring out what I have to do to get it.  And in a general sense it has seemed to work if I've wanted it bad enough.  This is probably on account that I'm somewhat stubborn, determined to do only what I want, and mostly because I know things won't come to me, so I'm not afraid to go after them myself.  

Only thing is, I never really considered being a wardrobe stylist.  I assume because I never really understood what it meant to be one, or that such job existed.  I'm not really sure to be honest.  No one's really given me any good advice on what I could do with my life - creatively speaking.  I've been drawn to film and making movies since I was eleven, when I first discovered my parents old-school video camera.  It makes me laugh thinking about how I saved almost two years worth of birthday and christmas money to buy my first Panasonic camcorder when I was in seventh grade. Or how I used to love browsing through the career book at the library in middle school and then reading about being a "producer" or "director" -not that I plan on being either of those professionally but I think it's interesting how much you figure out so early on.  

Now on the other hand, I grew up dressing dolls, and learning how to stitch and operate a sewing machine at a very young age.  My grandparents came to the US in the 50's, they weren't very wealthy so back in their day you mended your socks, and if you couldn't afford a particular outfit, you got fabric, created a pattern and made it yourself.  That was of life and attitude was passed down to me.  I don't know if thats a European thing in general, or just being old-fashioned.  Anyway, I guess my point there is that it's just in my blood to stitch, be creative, and make things.  In high school I developed my love for fashion.  I was definitely one of the few, due growing up in the mid-west surrounded by cornfields where most of my classmates were content in wearing a t-shirt and jeans or a sweatshirt and jeans.

Why I never considered combining my two passions together (even through film school) is beyond me, but it doesn't matter because I've figured it out and I'm doing it now.  AND I love it more than anything in the whole world :D the end.  <-- I didn't mean to write that much, I only wanted to have an opening sentence to all the pictures I'm posting for the short film I styled on back in Oct and one of the music videos I produced and styled in early Nov.  Sometimes when I start typing, I just get off on all these little tangents. Anyway..

writer's block.

So looking back at my more recent posts, I've realized I've been writing significantly less and cheating by filling the voids with photos and videos.  Which on one hand, I prefer simply because its easier and I am just an extremely visual person, but on the other hand I feel that I'm also losing my opportunity to connect with you as my reader.  Although I will give you a valid excuse, claiming my hectic lifestyle and never ending list of things to do as the villain; I do believe that if I was more diligent I would be able to make the time to write.  Discipline and diligence; I'm working on it.  :)  In the meantime, if you haven't read my past posts (the ones from, like back in the day), you should, I mean if you want that is.  And here's a little video I wasted time making as an excuse to get away from making jewelry for an hour.  Yes, another video..

[xx] Natasha

Tim Burton Exhibit Oozes Inspiration.

Yesterday my friends ((Jen & Gilbert)) and I took a field trip to the Tim Burton exhibition at LACMA.  The exhibit is a retrospective of Burton's work, starting with his early work as teenager growing up in Burbank, spanning through his years at Disney, and up until now.  The exhibit was a creative collection of both his professional and personal works including: sketches, storybook mock ups, paintings, sculptures, stop motion films, short films, movie props, and a unique black light installation.  I mostly enjoyed his older personal sketches.  He really is a genius the way he combines these eerie sketched characters with undertones of humor.  I have to admit that prior to this I was never a huge Tim Burton fan.  I always enjoyed his work, but after seeing his exhibition I have developed a whole new enthusiastic passion for his vision and series of work.

Coincidentally, Aug 25th also happened to be Tim Burton's birthday, in which case everyone visiting the exhibit had the opportunity to wish him happy birthday on a dry erase board via photograph.

More pictures AFTER the break!!!

the biz cards.

I'm so excited about the new business cards I designed! Not only are they a source of information, but they are functional and have been made from recycled materials!  Whachaya think?  Want me to design & make cool unconventional business cards for you too?? Email me :) I'll hook it up!  n@tasha-nicole.com

the working space.

this is.. my desk & design/work station #1 in my studio..

My project of the day..

 Drill.

Screw.

The back is a little sloppy form some old double stick tape.

 And this what happens when the nails you have on hand are too long for the job.  A little ghetto, but it works.

The front.

and.. TUH DAH!

Finally, a place to hang all my extra chain so I can SEE it. 

Then there is work space #2...

 And work space #3. Its a litttttle chaotic, I know.  I'm constantly picking up after my crazy self, and clearly haven't made it this way yet.

And here's a bunch of random shots :)

 I'm always jotting down random thoughts about my business motto, and well, life in general.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! 

(if you wanna buy some jewelry, go to garagegypsyjewelry.com)!

xo Natasha

Summer Days and the Livings Easy..

Back from the countryside.  I spent the last ten days in my hometown for my brother's high school graduation shindig.  Usually I'm ready to get back to my Los Angeles lifestyle, but something about that damp heat in the air had me wishing my stay could last a little longer.  There is something about humidity that really makes summer feel like summer. Or maybe I was wishing my stay would last a little longer because I felt like I had time traveled back into my teenage years between hanging with my brother, his gang of friends, go cart racing,  drinking cheap vodka with OJ, and TP-ing houses under the starry night sky.  Either way, I have to admit, I think it was just what the doctor ordered.

Me and Grandma with my brother on his Grad Night.

The tres generations cooking in the kitchen..

Anyyyway.  I'm back in the city of angeles and even though I felt small tear slide down my cheek as I departed from Chicago, Sunday was a quick reminder of why I love Los Angeles :)

Here's a little look into my day.

An [8 am] chirping text from my brother pulled me from my much needed sleep, but since the kid is beyond hard to get in touch with I figured I'd call him while he wasn't busy and then get started on my day.  However, when I'm low on sleep it takes me immensely longer to jump into motivation mode.  So rather than do any real work, I went into my creative mode.  I had went thrifting with one of my best friends when I was back in IL and found this sweet jean jacket that I wanted to become a vest.  As a side note, the best thrifting (aka cheapest) is definitely in the midwest.  So anyway, I pulled this bad boy out of my suitcase, got to snipping and ripping, spent a good hour adding studs, and well, presto!

[10am] I surfed the web, its my addiction, got inspired and decided to draw while watching Food, Inc.  I only made it three quarters though the movie - it was making me depressed and nauseous, not to mention I was going to miss the farmers market if I didn't start getting ready.

[12pm] I walked to the farmer's market, filled up on samples and loaded up fresh vegetables and fruit for the week.

[2:30pm] I made a quick switch into my shorts and gym shoes, slathered on some sunscreen, grabbed my earphones and water bottle and headed to Runyon Canyon for a quick hike.

[3:30] Fourty-five minutes after arriving at Runyon, I scurried back to my apt, jumped into the shower, got ready in five fast minutes and headed out the door to meet my friend Lonnie at the Gramins Chinese theater for the XMEN movie.  And because I have this tendency to always be late I ended up running half way there, at least until I was mobbed by tourists.

[7:00] After the movie- which was great by the way, we grabbed a bite to eat at Boho and ended up running into some friends I hadn't seen in a while. All and all a good relaxing Sunday spent catching up with some of my friends and getting back to my favorite LA activities.

P.S. If you enjoy "a day in the life" posts check out V is for Olive's DAY IN THE LIFE !!

[xo] Natasha



Pulling out the camera.

Sorry for the lack of posts, I know things have been looking dull on here!  I've been focusing most of my  'blogging' energy on my jewelry brand blog.  Most of my life resides within my business and designing jewelry, so it's been hard to make my way over here.  But I did!  The weekend before last my friend Andre and I got up in the dead of night, or should I say morning, and drove up to this secret spot up in the Hollywood Hills.  Here are a few photos and a photo montage I made.  I was pretty satisfied with my results, that is, until I saw Andre's photos & timelapse. 

xo