Something has happened friends. We are in the middle of a neon revolution (you know…like the eighth one in the history of revolutions). We are seeing it everywhere. I personally couldn’t be more happy. I believe in the power of neon. 

What the hell does neon mean? Some things that might come to mind: Kelly Kapowski, lava lamps, leg warmers, and drugs. All of which do very much have their roots in neon. But then again so do I. When I was younger my sister and I were told we could pick the color of our bedroom. Like most young ladies our age we did the most obvious thing — we picked a different neon color for each wall. We also wrote in pen across our current walls in big letters what color each wall should be.

My mom and dad were not amused.

Neon has something. It’s electric and I adore that. It’s unmistakable, impossible to ignore, and larger than life. Much like all things should be if you ask me. So why do I believe in the power of neon? Because I believe that life is short, and color matters. I believe that how we visually shock this world should reflect the impact we hope to have in it. I believe that neon colors could very well change the course of any day.

And drape myself in it I will. I’ve bought shoes, nail polishes, shirts, and phone covers. I’ve embraced Neon so much I am wearing it as makeup. Hell to the yes. I’ve talked about the power of a color before, and I do very much think Neon has the same possibilities. Why not be bolder? Why the hell not.

FWIW I think the current Neon phase might just become the norm. I don’t think we will see this one fade. Much like we saw with chunky gold watches, and studded boots, I think we may just find that Neon is setting up shop in our 2013 world. I, for one, hope so.

Looking for more Neon inspiration? I’m pinning the hell out of it right now.

For those of you following my rambles about ISITaYES, it probably comes at no surprise that I love fashion apps. I’m constantly bouncing between them, downloading new ones, and trying them out. I came across Poshmark not too long ago and was impressed. It’s like a virtual closet swap – hello fun! Next week they are throwing a little party here in Seattle (see details below), and I’d love to invite my fellow fashion lovers to join me.

A few ladies from around town (including the always fashionable @mollieinseattle & @jessestrada) and I will be co-hosting a get together where us style-obsessed women can get together and catch up. I know I am newer to this world than most of the other ladies, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do then get all gussied up and talk fashion with brilliant tech ladies. Continue reading →

It’s the year of emerald green you know. Or so *they* say. Whoever that is. Pantone apparently. The last few days I’ve found myself bringing this up in conversation way more than what seems normal. I am compelled for some reason to talk about colors a great deal lately. Maybe it’s the hours spent on Pinterest, or the gray skies of Seattle, but the bottomline is my mind is wandering to color time and time again.

Color statements are a strange thing. Our minds instantly think of fashion and favorite colors…favorite shirts…favorite dresses. For me color has always been a way to show up for the day. Is it a yellow day? Is it a coral day? Am I going to drift through these 24 hours in neutral shades. I’ve always had a strong attachment to color and used it, for lack of a better phrase, as a mood ring of sorts.

So emerald. Here we are. 2013 and you and me. I wonder what we will experience together? When I think of you I admit I don’t have too many images come to mind.

Continue reading →

Sequins. Glitz. Glamour. Girlyness. I’ve always loved it all. When I was a child I remember practicing how to walk in heels on the road in front of my house…I was like 12. Thankfully for me the heels were only half an inch or so, and we lived on a deadend street. Years later our neighbor mentioned that she couldn’t stop laughing that day when she looked out and I was walking back in forth in my white heels (there were part of my Confirmation outfit…irony at its finest) and my dress, with a white purse swinging back and forth. What a hilarious, girly mess I was.

Or am rather.

Believe it or not being a girl has not always come easy to me. YouTube tutorials, texts to friends, MAC counter lessons…I’ve done it all. And still I just recently mastered a smokey eye. #thatshitishard

With that said, over the years I’ve grown to love my “far from model perfect” sex appeal. I’ve found a laid back style that still dazzles my boyfriend, makes me strut {albeit more of an awkward walk}, and I’ve found a vibe I feel comfortable in. I’ve learned to embrace my version of glitz. Continue reading →

Sometimes you need to say something out loud to make it real. You know? It’s like the first time I said “I love you” to Peter, my amazing boyfriend, even though I had been feeling it for months. Or it’s like when you make a tough career decision and say out loud for the first time “honestly, I’m not so sure what to do.” There is a promise in saying something out loud…a duty if you will.

Yesterday I met with a brilliant friend of mine – Michelle Goldberg. She took two hours of her time to walk through my career path, my branding, my ideas, and more. She offered her experience (of which is truly priceless) as a successful, strong, smart, funny, and fashionable woman in tech. Leaving our chat I was high on life.

It was the sort of high us “seekers of self” rarely get. Maybe it happens after we create a new Pinterest board that perfectly sums us up, or maybe it happens after a life-long friend stuns you with a truth about yourself that is hard to grasp any other way.

Either way I walked out of that meeting with a clearer sense of who I am and what I want. For reals. Crazy I know. She reminded me that I have more dimensions to myself than just startups and marketing. She pointed out examples of my softer side, and my edgier side. She pointed out that I have a lot of room to grow in knowing who I am. Well smack. Ain’t that the truth?! Continue reading →