life

Photo Adventures with Amy

12/16/2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Amy and I have been going on photo adventures since we were 13 or 14. A few years ago when I upgraded to a Canon 7D, we immediately went out and took a trillion photos in front of some beautiful mint colored auto shops. The last time I visited home, we got together for an impromptu photo sesh at the same mint walls that we love so dearly.

Amy was sweet to take some pictures of me for The Blog Market too! Our friend Katie also joined us for a quick headshot for the bio page.

So much fun! I’ve stopped taking photos “professionally” for weddings and what not, which has given me so much freedom to just learn and experiment with my camera sans all the pressure. I kind of feel the same way about this blog. I used to stress out about getting everything posted on time or feel guilty when I skipped a day (or week) or blogging. But I’m turning Earl Grey into a place to post…whenever I want. No pressure. The Blog Market has taken over as my main blogging priority, but I’m trying to go into it with less stress and “blog guilt” as they call it.

On another note, can you believe Christmas is next week? What the heck? Not even ready.

David Hill Winery

11/04/2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

About a week ago, I went wine tasting with my friends Sara and Emily at the most beautiful winery I’ve ever seen! We found David Hill Winery via Google and didn’t expect it to look exactly like the photos online…but it did. Being surrounded by that many vibrant autumn-colored trees was a dream!

It looks like a painting, right?! Also, as soon as we drove up to the property we were greeted by two of the sweetest little dogs. If you know how much puppy fever I have these days, you can imagine how much I was losing my mind.

Still can’t believe this place was real.

How’s November going for you so far? Any fun fall happenings?

Best of September + Giveaway Winner!

10/03/2014 by Jennifer 4 Comments

Every year, I get all freaked out about ominous October. This year I didn’t even have time to anticipate it. September was full of so many exciting things as well as challenges, both of which paved the way for a might fine October. Let’s look back on some happy moments…

1. I got crafty! You might have noticed that DIY projects haven’t been the main focus of my blog for a while. I do still love them though. During September, I shared the easiest watercolor confetti tutorial. This week, I shared this minimal brass jewelry hanger that I am obsessed with. As you can see, I also received Happy Handmade Home in the mail and was super impressed. Those ladies never fail to be amazing.

2 & 3. My bestie Sara moved to Portland! We drove over to Rockaway Beach for a little reunion and the next day, we visited this punny breakfast food truck, Fried Egg I’m in Love.

4. I’m finally experiencing more nature adventures here! Sara and I went on a beautiful hike at the arboretum a couple weeks ago. Going back to the forest again today. :)

5. Since I’ve moved here, my time has been split three ways between work, my apartment, and Heart Roasters. They are getting all of my money. I need to cut back…

6. I was lucky to have a couple trips planned back to California! The first time, I flew to LA and dressed up like a crazy cupcake to see Katy Perry with my good friend Bianca. Then earlier this week, I drove my car down to California and flew back up here. Because…parking is expensive. Note to everyone – don’t live in a downtown city if you have a car.

7. This is just a pretty picture of an Anthropologie display in LA. Love that color spill.

8. Over the past few months, I have been interning with my friend Jessica from Bramble Workshop! I shared a bit about that here.

9. Finally, and most excitingly, I was offered a job at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. here in Portland. They are amazing and I can’t wait to begin. It’s a dream come true!

Also, just want to say thank you to everyone who entered my Happy Fall giveaway with Angela of If Found, Make. The lucky winner is Becca H! Congrats!! We’ll be sending you your items as soon as possible.

ps. As usual, I grabbed these recap photos from the ole Instagram account. Follow along @earlgreyjenn if you want! Happy October. :)

Internship with Bramble Workshop

09/22/2014 by Jennifer 14 Comments

When I moved up to Portland a few months ago, I was lucky to be able to easily transfer jobs. But I knew I wanted more than just retail experience on my resume. I needed to be creatively challenged and was particularly interested in helping with large-scale handcrafted displays. Through Instagram, I learned that Jessica of Bramble Workshop was also moving to Portland! So I put her at the top of my list of people to contact. We had coffee at the cutest little cafe, chatted for a while, and ta-da! I began interning for her shortly afterward. I didn’t think creative connections could be made that easily, but perhaps I hadn’t tried hard enough in the past.

Through Bramble Workshop, Jessica creates beautiful detailed window displays, backdrops, and installations for events and companies. To give you an idea of her work and process, here are some photos I grabbed from her Instagram:

We usually meet up about once a week at her studio and work on whatever backdrops or projects need to be done. Other times, we just get coffee and brainstorm creative craft and business ideas.

While writing my list of creative businesses and people to contact in Portland a few months ago, I was seriously expecting the worst outcome. I thought every effort was a shot in the dark. But by sending that brief email to Jessica, I ended up with a fun, creative internship and a wonderful new friend. Even if you live in a small town where nobody has heard of a blog (those towns are real), I want to encourage you to be brave and look for those people with similar interests as you. :)

To see the rest of Jessica’s work (and a few projects I’ve helped out with!), visit the Bramble Workshop website or follow along on Instagram.

Inspired by California

09/19/2014 by Jennifer 7 Comments

Moving to Oregon has taught me many things and while that’s a blog post for another time, I can tell you one thing. I love California. Oregon, with all of it’s lush green trees and friendly faces and tax-free shopping, has been a long time love of mine. Living here is wonderful and I plan to stay here a while. But the saying is true, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” California is the home of my family. It’s home of the tallest, most giant redwood trees in the entire world. It’s my home.

I love finding items that are inspired by states (especially CA and OR). Here’s a bit of California swag:

I can’t imagine what would lead me to move back to California, but I’m just saying it could happen. :)

Rockaway Beach

09/18/2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

A couple summers ago, my family rented a house in Rockaway Beach, OR. We all live from California to Washington so we usually meet right in the middle. As soon as we arrived I wandered down the street, which was lined with little vintage shops and boutiques. There were so many bright colored walls that I wanted to take photos in front of, but I’m not really one for lonesome selfies in random beach towns. I remember it being one of the trips that affirmed my desire to live in Oregon. You can see photos from that trip here.

I recently looked up Rockaway Beach and found that it’s only about two hours from Portland! Sara and I traveled over there last week (did you know she just moved up here?!) and had such a happy trip. We window shopped, took pictures, walked in the water, and put Jenny Lewis on repeat (who I was definitely channeling in the photo below, minus the rainbow suit and sassy attitude).

The water was truly glistening and there was not a cloud in the sky. I hope I have the opportunity to visit once more before scary winter begins. Also, can we just talk about how S is always such a dang model?

Goodness. What a beautiful day! It just started raining in Portland, but now I’m off to California. Crazy timing, right? I’m not complaining. Talk to you soon!