Three Easy Things No. 2

(Photo credit: Ulysses Curry)

For this week's installment of Three Easy Things, I asked my old blogger pal Marlen to help out. Marlen is a writer for Bustle and extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the issues currently facing our society, so I knew that she would put together a great list of easy ways to be active this week. Naturally, she didn't disappoint. Marlen has also created a Facebook for those looking to defend Planned Parenthood and all other human rights, which has been more than helpful for a newbie like me. If you have any interest in being added to the group, please feel free to comment or shoot me an email (room334blog@gmail.com) if we're not already Facebook friends.

Without further ado, here are Marlen's three easy things you can do this week:

1. Follow vocal people in minority groups: Issues that have long time been bubbling in our history are taking center stage now, and in order to be a good ally you need to have a good handle on what they're experiencing first hand. 

Reading news articles is a good way to start, but hearing from these members directly is even better. Hop onto Twitter and follow people of color, Muslims, Native Americans, trans women and men, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and disabled people - anyone that you're fired up to stand with. Often times they give you free, valuable information through Twitter threads on what their communities are experiencing, and how you can help them. And most importantly, they give you a detailed account of how they're experiencing discrimination and how you yourself might actually be part of the problem. It's a valuable lesson. Here are some excellent people to follow to start you off:

Native American woman: @sydnerain

POC: @MsPackyetti, @Karnythia, and @polotek

Muslim woman: @hodakatebi 

Asian American man: @wilfredchan

2. Join groups that will hold you accountable: Whether that's joining a secret Facebook group that creates action steps for its members, or simply joining an email newsletter that will send you the most pressing action steps to your mailbox, join a community that's going to keep you active. If you're just joining the activist movement, it can feel overwhelming trying to find all the information you need - below are some great resources to sign up to to get you started:

Women's March 10 Actions, 100 Days challenge: Link

5 Calls: Link

Jennifer Hoffman's weekly checklist: Link

3. In terms of the Muslim ban: If you don't agree with the Muslim ban but feel helpless with how to help, begin by getting active in your own community. Start at a local level and you'll quickly learn that you have the power to make a difference and help stand for your neighbors. See if there's a refugee shelter you can volunteer at, join an Arab action network on Facebook so you can get notifications on what they need from their allies (ex: this is one of the Chicago networks,) and hop onto the events page on Facebook and see if there are any fundraisers or protests that would need your attendance. While it's important to call your representatives and urge them to push against the ban, it's just as crucial you start helping in your community, too. 

For more helpful links and motivation, you can follow Marlen on Twitter, @marlenkomar.

If you'd like to contribute to this series, please send me an email. I'd love to get more voices and opinions!

Apricity Eve Dress + Brown Wedges

What's this? An actual outfit post with photos taken outdoors? What are the chances? I hung out with Erica on Saturday, and it was the perfect opportunity to actually take a cute dress out of my apartment for the first time in a while. We met up in Burbank for brunch and thrifting, and it was as wonderful as it always it when I see her. We both found some cheap thrifted finds, and I got my first lipstick from the Besame store. We also visited Ashley at the Pinup Girl boutique for her last day of work. I hadn't seen Ashley in over a year, but it felt like no time had passed. Erica and I had never been in the PUG boutique, so we had a ton of fun getting to see all of the gorgeous items in person finally. Even if I'm too cheap to actually buy anything from there. I'll just settle for swooning over Ashley's wardrobe for now.

I got this Apricity dress recently after staring at it for months, but I had been waiting until it was warm enough to wear without tights. I sized up, as I usually do with button down items, and while it's a little big in the shoulders, it was a good call. I have such a weakness for Apricity items, and this one is no exception. I think everyone has their brands that they remain loyal to, and Apricity is definitely mine. I can't get enough of it.

Kitchen Outfits

Dress, cardigan: Thrifted / Boots: American Eagle

What's a girl to do when she's lazy and busy, but still likes sharing outfit photos? Take them real quick in the kitchen, obviously. I haven't been posting outfits on this blog as much lately, mostly due to the "cold" and rain, but I've still been sharing them on Instagram. On the off chance you haven't seen these there, here's a short little recap of what I've been wearing. I know you've been on the edge of your seat waiting.

Dress: Modcloth via swap / Cardigan: Thrifted / Necklace: c/o Rocksbox / Flats: Target

Dress: Modcloth via swap / Jacket: Old Navy / Boots: American Eagle

Three Easy Things No. 1

This post makes me nervous to write, but it's the first of many. I had the pleasure of marching in the Women's March in Orange County on Saturday, and it was one of the most memorable days of my life. I've been completely apathetic toward politics my entire life, but it's been difficult to keep up that attitude these days. The march was incredible, but it also lit a fire under my ass. It was a good start, but I don't want that to be my last form of activism. I'm new to this, but I'm guessing that I'm not alone in not knowing where to start. To help myself get more informed and more involved, I'm creating this series of Three Easy Things to do each week. If you're looking for tips on how to ease into things, I hope that this will help you join me.

To kick things off, here are the absolute easiest things you can do this week:

1. Join the conversation: the first thing that I've done is be transparent in the fact that not only am interested in getting involved, but I'm way under-informed. I started seeking out friends who I know are politically aware, told them that I want to start doing more, and asked them for help. It's embarrassing to admit that I haven't been involved at all, but everyone I've spoken to so far has been more than eager to help. It's gotten a conversation going, given me a ton of helpful advice, and it's also made sure that I have people who will keep me accountable if I stay quiet.

2. Start learning and make it a routine: this past election was the first one I've ever voted in, and my excuse beforehand was that I didn't feel educated enough to vote. It was a lame excuse and an easy one to fix. I started by researching unbiased news sources (this chart is a couple of years old, but helpful) and subscribed to a few on a news aggregator app (I'm using Feedly right now, but am open to suggestions if you know a better one). I'm on my phone constantly, so reading news stories each morning is an easy thing to incorporate into my routine. One of my friends also suggested started with listening to NPR, which could not be easier. The NPR app is free and has options to listen to your local NPR station in addition to a ton of great podcasts. I listen to far too many podcasts daily, so as much I don't want to wait to listen to Reply All, it's not difficult to start my day off by listening to NPR.

3. Plan to put at least a few dollars aside to donate each month: I've been saying for too long that I'm broke and don't have enough money to donate. I say that, but I still buy coffee, food, and the occasional clothing item. I can skip a latte or a dress each month. I've already donated to Planned Parenthood, and I'm going to try to put together a list of other organizations to donate to. In the meantime, while you're doing your own research, figure out which organizations mean something to you and budget for at least $5 a month (or more if you can afford it). Every dollar helps.

Bonus: 
I'm writing this late in the day, but if you happen to read this before midnight, Speak Paul Ryan's office is conducting a survey on the Affordable Care Act. Voicing your concern is extremely easy.

1. Call (202) 225-0600.

2. Press 2 to submit to the poll3. Listen to a (very biased) recording about the bill to repeal ACA

4. Press 1 to support the ACA. You can also stay on the line to leave voicemail with your thoughts.


I want this series to be a guest series because not only do I (obviously) not have many answers, but I want to present suggestions from a variety of different people. If you would like to contribute, email me at room334blog@gmail.com OR if you know anyone who would be, please send them my way. This isn't a grab for more followers or anything, so contributors do not have to be bloggers!

*Special thanks to my friend Callie who offered me most of this advice to start, which I've now stolen, and to Marlen, who has been wonderful and has a Twitter full of helpful information and links.

Etsy Favorites #57

I love all things Futurama, but none more than this cartoon Fry pin from Bobby Pins Co.

Let's Chat With: Breezebot Punch

When I first found Breezebot Punch on Etsy, it happened to be right when I was moving into my new apartment. Naturally, I couldn't stop scrolling through Breezy's gorgeous selection of embroidered hoops, each one unique and lovely in its own way. Breezy and I bonded over our shared love of Parks and Rec, and when she offered to make me the custom hoop above, I knew that no other item I could put in my apartment would ever be nearly as cute. In addition to having great taste in TV, Breezy also makes other gorgeous custom hoops (which are perfect gifts), necklaces, and ornaments. Below, get to know Breezy and fall in love with her items as much as I have.

When did you first start getting interested in embroidery?

About 5 years ago! I taught myself how to embroider because I wanted to make some homemade Christmas gifts. At that time there wasn't a lot of modern embroidery so I just free handed my own designs.

How and when did your shop start?I opened my shop a little over 3 years ago. I took a huge leap of faith and quit my job and focused all of my efforts on embroidery. I had no idea if it would work, but it did
!

How do you come up with the ideas for your designs?I get ideas from just about everything! Books, music, shows, nature... you name it! I keep a little journal on me and whenever I get an idea I jot it down. If only I had time to actually stitch them all!

As a massive Parks & Rec fan, I first found your shop through one of your Parks items. Are there any other pieces of pop culture that influence your work?Well, Parks & Rec is my favorite show ever, so it influences me the most. But I have lots of plans for other pop culture pieces! Specifically 30 Rock, Arrested Development, and Game of Thrones.

What are you favorite pieces in your store currently?The ones that my customers can customize. I always love to see what colors / quotes people choose, and it switches things up so I'm not making the same things all the time.

Do you have any exciting plans or items coming up that people can look forward to?Yes! Starting in 2017 I'm going to be making a lot more new designs that will be ready to ship. Up until now, I've been mostly running my shop as made to order, but I'd like to change that so that people don't have to wait so long for their pieces. I have also been in the process of making patterns!! I've had so many people want to try embroidery for themselves, and I'm really excited to be sharing my designs with everyone.

Follow Breezbot Punch on Etsy and Instagram

Gray Sweater + Gingham Collar

Happy New Year! My first post of 2017 is a short one, of course. Lately, I've been taking outfit photos more for Instagram than for blogging, but I can't quite bring myself to completely let go of this medium. I end up taking more photos than necessary on most occasions anyway, so it's nice to be able to dump them all in one spot so I don't feel like a total narcissist for taking so many.

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays! The past couple of weeks have been crazy busy, what with Christmas and my brother and his family coming into town from Illinois. It's been crazy in a good way, though, as it's been, well, joyous getting to spend so much time with loved ones. Jon and I had a bit of struggle trying to make time for both of our families, but it ended up working out great.

I also got loads of baking/cooking stuff, which I mean, definitely isn't the most important part of Christmas, but doesn't hurt. I'm still getting to used to the whole getting excited about bowls and pans rather than shoes and purses thing. It's strange growing up.

I did get excited about this sweater I just got though. I've been searching high and low for the right weight crew neck sweater that wasn't cheap looking or too expensive and I finally found this one on Amazon. It's so comfy and perfect for layering, and I never want to take it off.

Sweater: Meters/Bonwe via Amazon

Skirt: Buffalo Exchange

Gingham top: Thrifted

Boots: American Eagle