Black Friday.

I hope everyone survived black friday and scooped up some good deals. Here are some good tunes to listen to while you catch last minute deals shopping online ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are surrounded by loved ones enjoying the holiday. I have so much to be thankful for this year.

1. As always, I am so thankful for my crazy family, I have no clue what I would do without them. We are so dysfunctional but we make it work, and we always have something to laugh about afterwards. I love you guys so much!

2. To my friends ^ in the photos above, the last four years at school have been incredible. I am so thankful for all the memories I have to look back on. And I can't wait to see where we all end up in the near future. <3 

3. Brian, yep, you get your own little section. I love you. The last two years have been incredible, I am so thankful to have you in my life. You have pried me out of my shell and have helped me look at the world in a new way. Thank you.

4. My college education, I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to refine my design skills the last four years. My classes have pushed me outside my comfort zone, helping me become a more confident and independent woman. I have grown so much.

5. My job, home, food, clothing, etc. 

I am so fortunate for everything in my life. I have to cut this post short in order to get the table and food ready...I just wanted to share. What are all of you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Allison

Field trip

Today my boyfriend and I took a day trip to the Field museum. It is by far may favorite museum. I have been there too many times to count but it still seems new and exciting every time. The building is so beautiful. What I love most about the Field museum is that you can get lost in it's corridors for hours and still only have seen a small portion of the museum.  My favorite exhibits are the Egyptians and the dinosaurs (I mean come on, we have the most complete T.Rex in the world!). There are hundreds of icicle lights up for the holiday season and it looks so magical. I suggest that if you can, take a trip out there as soon as possible :)

--Also, whales originally were land mammals...who knew?

No pictures of me and the boyfriend, apparently asking people to take our picture is too "nerdy"? My bad, so only photos of the great hall from today. It really was such a fun trip though. I love you Chicago!

I am now off to bake some pies for tomorrow. Can't wait to spend time with family and friends. Hope you all have a lovely holiday.

Tattoo love

I recently got my first tattoo in April as a birthday present to myself. It is a traditional style grouping of roses that take up my entire side (I apologize for the bad picture quality via my macbook).  The tattoo was done by Zach Dole at Freedom Ink Tattoo in Peoria, IL.

When I first got the tattoo I was initially in shock. I think that is a normal reaction to something being so new and permanent. However, I was freaked out because the tattoo was not what I had envisioned at all and it was entirely my fault. I had spent months researching tattoos, styles, as well as images to come up with exactly what I wanted. I had wanted a tattoo since high school but I wanted to wait until I had come up with something perfect to be placed on me forever. So in April when I went to get my tattoo I handed over groupings of different flowers and the style in which I wanted the tattoo - I wanted the tattoo to look like an engraving made up of peonies, roses, and other wild flowers. I let my nerves get the best to me though because once I handed over the images I told the artist he had complete control. He completely changed what I wanted and I still gave him the go ahead, I should have spoken up. Me being initially sad about my tattoo was all on me. The artist is great at what he does and did exactly what I told him to - I let him do whatever he wanted. I was so foolish and naive. Thankfully, the tattoo has really grown on me and I love it now, it just took some time. I am also thankful for the whole experience because I have learned so much from it. I do want to get another tattoo in the near future, but this time...

1. I need to work with the artist.
2. I need to speak up and not let my nerves take control.
3. I need to not have unrealistically high expectations (my problem is that as a designer I need everything to perfect. Just because something isn't exactly as I envisioned it does not mean that it isn't the right solution.)
4. I need to just breathe and have fun!

I know I sound crazy and that these are pretty straightforward steps, but you live and you learn. I can be really shy to a fault (hence the name shyscout) and this experience really has taught me that I need to speak up and quit being afraid that I may offend someone - this applies to all areas of my life. With all that being said - I really do want more tattoos. Half sleeve? ;)

Here are some of my favorite tattooers at the moment

1. David Hale 

2. Tiny Miss Becca

3. Guen douglas

(check out her tumblr ^ she has so many gorgeous tattoos by Guen and other artists)

4. Guy Le Tatooer

5. Jason Vaughn

Package design.

There is nothing better than a beautifully designed - well crafted package. I constantly find myself getting lost, combing through aisles of items that I don't need, drooling over various product/package design. Here are some wonderful items I've found that may inspire you.

1. established

2. erin dameron

3. michael friemuth

4. jose guizar

5. tacn studio

6. uniform

7. jeremy evans

8. sissi edholm & lisa ullenius 

9. ducobi

10. bonanza

In need of a change...

Redheads have more fun (?). 

I will let you know shortly...

DIY - owls.

Owls. Who doesn't find them adorable? I find myself buying any cutesy owl related thing I can get my hands on. (image found on weheartit.com)

Awhile ago I was looking through blogs for some DIY projects to work on and I stumbled upon this tutowlrial by Alexandra at Moonstitches. I fell in love.

These adorable little owls are easy to make and can make great gifts for loved ones, add a sweet touch to any party, and can make cute pin cushions for your work station. Or... if your are anything like me, you can simply make a bunch and add them to your owl hoard ;)

Blythe love!

Newest toy obsession: BLYTHE!
Ok, so they have been around for quite some time now but I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Love, love, love em. I need to ask santa for one *ahem... Thankfully I will be off to Japan in just a few months and maybe I can snag one there. She will look so lovely next to the dunnys.

Splurge

I just bought the Eastward dress coat by Lauren Moffatt. Can't wait for it to arrive!

Hello world, here I come!

Hi all!

This is my first official post. I graduate a month and a day from now. Eeep! I never thought I would be so excited about graduating and leaving this bubble. It has been a good 3.5 years but I am ready for new adventures. This is where ShyScout comes into the picture, I want to document all of the adventures and share them with you. I am new to this so please be patient. I plan to have the layout up and running before the end of the year. I can't wait to get started (once the papers, projects, and exams cease to exist). Only a month and a day...

World, here I come!!
-Allison