A Quick Award & Tag Post!

Image by TeenVogue.

You kids, you spoil me rotten! Thank you for all the lovin' on my How To: Decorate a Dorm Room post! If you didn't get a chance to read it yet, its in the previous post. And now I've been tagged & awarded, goodness!
First of all, this fabulous award from Linda, from Lost in Switzerland! Thank you :) I'm supposed to copy & paste the purple text, which I put in italics...
In this post, I want to hand out the "Better than ice cream" award to the 3 blogs that for whatever reasons has caught my attention lately. Someone who's blog is inspiring me, someone who has done an exceptional job with their blog or just made me think differently about something...The whole point of the "Better than ice cream" award is for the bloggers who receive it to then pay it forward to the 3 bloggers who have had that same impact on them. It can even be to the blogger giving it to you, as long as you also give to 2 other bloggers to keep it moving forward!
If you receive this award more than once, just headline it the number of times.
(The purple text is to be included in the blog post when passing this on so it keeps moving.)

Well, first of all, I'd like to give this award to Silja, because she is such a sweetie, & I have enjoyed her blog so much! Her blog is full of lots of delightful little etsy features & her own spectacular artwork. You can find it here. I'd also like to give this award to the beautiful Luinae, for her inspiring suggestions and advice on living your everyday life more magically. Finally, I'd like to give this award to the darling & creative Emily! Thanks for inspiring me, everyone!
Next, I was tagged by the beautiful & artistic Nicola! I am supposed to share 10 true facts that no one else knows... Here it goes...

1. I hate breakfast food--hate it! The only kind I like is biscuits, bagels, donuts, etc. The really bad-for-you bread kinds, but not eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, etc.
2. I am a very insecure person, but I'm always trying to be more confident!
3. I have never had a boyfriend before. (I'm only 15 though...)
4. I've wished for the same thing at 11:11 for the past 3 months.
5. I have a secret dream of becoming a politician.
6. When I was little, I thought I was a secret agent. I was obsessed with Nancy Drew books, had a spy kit, & belonged to several little kids spy newsletters. I used to have a Detective Agency with my old best friend called 'M & K Detective Agency: Solving any crime for just a dime!' (Maddie & Kayla) My daddy helped me make business cards.
7. I have absolutely no idea what I want to be as an adult.
8. I think everyone should have equal rights--freedom isn't for exclusive groups of people.
9. I've considered being a comedienne before, & still do at times.
10. I love winter, more than summer and spring. I love sweaters, jeans, scarves, snow, hot cocoa, seeing my breath in the air, and snuggling up to keep warm.
I'd like to tag all of my readers! I don't know any particular 10 that I could tag, which is probably against the rules, but as my reader count is increasing, I hate to appear as if I favor any of you! :) Have fun. If you don't have a blog, leave your answers in the comments!
xoxo,
SPRINKLE

How-To: Decorate a Dorm Room!

(source)

"Hi I love your blog! I had a thought I was wondering if you might write a piece on your blog about decorating a college dorm room. I'm moving to one in about 10 days and everyone has the typical posters and photos pinned up but I was looking for something more unique and creative since they limit what you can do to the room. I thought you might have some good ideas on this :)" -Jenny
Of course I have some ideas! Thanks for your email, first of all! I think that this is a dilemma many girls go through when going off to college--How on Earth do you make a simple dorm room feel unique & homey? And although I'm not in college yet, I think I have a few ideas. I don't know all of the rules & restrictions for decorating dorm rooms, but I am fairly sure you can hang things on the walls, but not from the ceilings, & you cannot paint the walls? Here it goes.
Note: If you're not in a dorm-decorating dilemma, this post can still help you with decorating any room!

(source)

Decorating a room is crucial--especially a dorm or bedroom! Its where you're going to be spending the next few years of your life, studying, painting, writing, laughing, sleeping, & whatever else floats your boat. You're not going to enjoy a plain white room with absolutely no personal touches, because it doesn't hold any emotional value whatsoever! Its important to fill a room with even the most simple tweaks that make you feel at home.
Idea #1: Creative Lighting!

(source, source, source)

I adore the whole "fairy lights" aesthetic that's really popular right now. And the best part is, its cheap! Go out to your local hardware store, or anywhere else you think carries them, {Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc. for those in the USA}, & snatch up a huge strand of white twinkling Christmas lights. Drape them around your bedposts, across your wall with pushpins, over your windows, & around your bed. If you have a roommate, you may want to consider turning them off at night so that they can get some sleep, but you never know. Just have some common courtesy. Bonus Points: Wrap tulle around your room as well, entangled with the lighting.
Idea #2: Clutter, & Why It Matters! {This Ones's For You, Mom.}

(source, source, source, source)

Is there a photo editorial in French Vogue that makes your heart beat a little bit faster? A photobooth strip from fourth grade that you still hold close to your heart? An Eiffel Tower collection that absolutely belongs next to your jewelry? I have the solution!
Did your mother ever tell you that clutter was a bad thing? Mine does, alllll the time. Its time to forget that rule--to a certain extent. Find some vintage teacups & fill it with all of your necklaces, leave little brooches and lace doilies on your desk, find vintage figurines of deer & stack them on your bookshelves, cover your bed in comfortable quilts in the winter of beautiful floral patterns. Find a big bulletin board, or even a piece of cardboard, & pin tons of photos on it that make you feel inspired. Make every nook & cranny in your new room scream YOU!
Idea #3: Your Walls Are Your Canvas.

(unknown source, source, source, source)

I love these photos: I love how unique & quirky this technique makes your room appear! I think that dorm rooms may allow you to hang things on your walls, so go crazy with this one. If nothing else, it'll make your wall look stunning in comparison to that Hannah Montana poster your roommate has! Go to a thrift store & buy up as many odd-looking, wonky, funky frames as you possibly can. Buy 3 different colors of acrylic paints as well. Now paint a handful of your new frames each color, & stuff some photos & artwork into them and hammer them up on the wall! If nails aren't allowed, I'm sure there's a different route you can go... As far as what to include within the frames, how about newspaper articles that touch you, photostrips, yearbook pages, art prints from Etsy or your artist friends, your own doodles, your life's work, little sticky notes & love letters left from old friends, recipes, magazine tear-outs, etc! If you're feeling extra creative, hot glue some feathers & rhinestones onto the frames for extra bling. Instant creativity!
Idea #4: Little Touches of You, A.K.A. Turning Your Degree Into Decor!

(source, source)

Studying to become a marine biologist? Fill your room with collages of whales, dolphins, etc. Find old coral reefs & sand dollars & make them part of a sea-bouquet. Obsessed with outer space? Search the internet & geeky stores for space diagrams, planet mobiles, Earth lamps, {Francesca Lia Block reference! Witch Baby had an Earth lamp that she adored!}, & glow-in-the-dark star stickers. Reading up on plant life? Grow orchids & roses in old Coke bottles on your windowsill. Simply celebrate who you are! Plus, incorporating your studies into your decor & making it fun may give you the extra energy needed to ace that final! You never know.
Idea #5: Garlands, Garlands, Garlands.

(my photo, source, source)

By now you're probably seeing a similar theme here: Making a room pretty doesn't mean throwing in a bunch of false elements to make it seem unique! It means discovering & celebrating who you are, & using that in sneaky ways within your decorating scheme!
As far as garlands: get a big strand of yarn or string & pin it in various places along your wall, making it fall like garland. Now get some paperclips or clothes pins & attach some letters & magazine photos. Pretty much a more practical solution to the frames idea! :) Or buy some already existing garland & string that across. See the first photo. {A.K.A. my room!}
Odds & Ends: Any other ideas I have to offer...

(my polvore)

These are just some odds & ends that I found that I am completely lusting over. You may feel that way too, who knows? The cardboard deer head is just so absolutely ironic, I can't get over it. How perfect. You can find the deer head, kitten lamp, Hamburger phone, {HELLO JUNO REFERENCE}, & Ice cream lamp at Fred Flare. I also thought that the idea of having a roll of ribbon could be excellent for those crafty gals out there, & the idea of hanging random bows all over your room just makes me giddy! Oh, & you absolutely must purchase a print from my dear friend, Gemma. She's such a sweetie! Finally, Audrey. Because you cannot go wrong with a giant poster of Audrey Hepburn.
Well, I hope I could help! So sorry for such a gigantic post, but there was so much I wanted to include! Enjoy :)
xoxo,
SPRINKLE

Fabulous Friday: Icing Atop a Wonderful Week!

{my face in the photo on the right was ridiculous, haha.
black hoodie: gap, sequin skirt: ebay, dino necklace: ornament+lace.}

Bonjour! My goodness, this week has been honestly one of the best weeks I've had in a very, very long time. I've kept a giant smile upon my lips the entire week! I've joined amazing clubs, worked hard, laughed with friends, & even wore a sequined skirt!
Anyway, when thinking about the fact that tomorrow is Friday, I couldn't help but think of the possibilities... How could I make this weekend even better than my week?! Enjoy :)

Photo by Audrey Kitching.

Start a style scrapbook: cut & paste images that inspire you, Download Wisdom Tooth's free songs online, troll through old photos of yourself & laugh, smile at strangers, roll the windows down & let your hair blow in the wind. Listen to Quelqu'un M'a Dit by Carla Bruni, explore, paint your toenails, practice drawing rabbits in your journal--an entire page perhaps. Practice your French.

Image by Joanie Mary; Image by Chrissie White.
Kiss ponies, form a glorious picnic of cute girls in vintage clothes, go shopping for pastel prom dresses, {Homecoming in a week for me!}, talk to a cute boy or two, keep smiling, make a daisy chain, blow bubbles, lick an icecream cone, invest in some polaroid film, create affirmation signs for your walls with glitter glue, hanging inspiring words like 'dream' & 'wish' in sparkly letters above your desk. Get all of your homework done, swim in a lake, sit on a windowsill while watching the rain come down hard, write poetry about love. Go to a craft store & buy lots of little scrapbook decorations & pretend butterflies to glue onto headbands. Don't give up. Celebrate Mondays--Make something about yours special.

Live it up, sunshine.
xoxo,
SPRINKLE

Waking up way too early!

It is just my personal opinion, but 5:30 A.M. seems way too early to wake up. Solutions?

Listen to the Ditty Bops while brushing teeth, wear polka dot socks, find a delightful pair of fuzzy slippers, make yourself a morning commute soundtrack, take a warm shower, have an early morning photoshoot, embrace bedhead, pick out a fabulous outfit the night before, think of something each day to be excited about, sleep with a teddy bear, make waking up more glamorous with a Breakfast at Tiffany's style sleep mask, eat waffles for breakfast, jump out of bed, dance at 6 AM.....
Thanks for the good feedback on my Fall 2009 Personal Style posts, you're all too kind. Off to bed sleepyheads, Monday morning is going to come very early tomorrow... Eek! I can't decide whether or not to wear a dress or boyfriend jeans. Hmmm.
xoxo,
SPRINKLE

Fall 2009 Personal Style!

Style Icons, & How They Effect What I Wear.
Style icons. You hear about them everyowhere. They are your inspiration, your ideas, who you want to become when slipping on a simple outfit. They could be fictional characters from TV shows & movies, singers, comedians, your neighbor, or just the fashion blog you find yourself trolling through endlessly every night. Part of this is about your aesthetics. I love this word, & I probably use it way too much. Aesthetics basically means your taste--anything you find mouthwatering, delightful, & awe-inspiring. Perhaps its the overall visual effects of a film, the soundtrack to your favorite movie, an outfit a celebrity wears, the art director's choice of props, a particular fashionista's wardrobe, etc, etc, etc. When you see someone whose general attitude, appearance, personality, or wardrobe simply grab you & pull you in, they may become a style icon.

A style icon doesn't necessarily mean that you desire to copy their exact wardrobes, in fact, this would ruin the entire idea! Adoring someone for their personal style & the little unique niches they form within their world would be defeated if you simply copied them, headband to frilly socks! Sheesh! Individuality is the reason you admired them in the first place, non? ;)

It always makes me laugh when people act so amazed by people who choose to be themselves, & who may choose their wardrobe to communicate this. All you have to do is find your own aesthetics! Gala Darling wrote a brilliant article on this, by the way. And choosing some style icons is the first step in doing this! Here are some of mine, & how I choose to incorporate the inspiration I gather from them into my own wardrobe!

From left to right, top to bottom: TeenVogue, TeenVogue, TeenVogue, Ellen DeGeneres, The Ditty Bops, Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, Tina Fey.
Ellen DeGeneres: There is simply something so refreshing to see a woman embracing who she is, including her age, political views, etc. Plus, she's hilarious & adorable. Her Style? So chic. She has the cutest menswear pieces that I am completely jealous of, scruffy blonde locks, the brightest blue eyes, Chucks, scarves, blazers, cute jeans! Ahh! Loving it.
Tina Fey: I have a giant poster of her on my door for a reason--Tina Fey is a comedic genius. She's not only funny, but she's confident in herself, not afraid of who she is, & embraces her inner geekdom. She's a writer, actress, feminist, mom, director at times, & comedian. I am such a big fan. Soooooo cute! Her Style? Tina definately keeps it casual, but pulls it off with such a classic geek chic twist on professionalism. Plus, she's not afraid to kick it up a notch at award shows with sleek black dresses & high heels.
The Ditty Bops: Well, currently I'm obsessed with their latest music collective, Songs For Steve, {& I've seen them live! They're such talented young ladies, who, again, aren't afraid to express themselves for who they are. They're such great role models for any girls--They're eco-friendly, save-the-earth feminists who tour by bicycle & sing songs about love, peace, & well, music. Their Style? Abby wears tiaras & crowns of paper, feathers, sticks, & anything she can find with cute shorts, tshirts, vintage dresses, Martis Gras beads, etc. Amanda goes for ruffled shirts, tank tops, rompers, vintage sailer overalls, dresses, slips, & just about anything else. They both dress up so quirky for all of their shows, & they're so FANTASTIC live, I really recommend seeing them.

From left to right, top to bottom: Lily Allen in TeenVogue, Zooey Deschanel x2, Ellen Page x2, Brianna from Melt Brianna, Iona of Pretty In Pink x2, Brianna again.
Lily Allen: I adore Lily! Her songs fill my mp3, I just love everything she sings. She's so incredibly girly but not afraid to push the edges a little bit, or a lot. She may sing pop songs, but most have a very political underlying message, from The Fear's reverse criticism of celebrity behavior to F You's absolute disgust towards ignorance and hatred. Her Style? Frilly prom dresses with big hipster tennishoes, pink hair, hoop earrings, black nails, heavy mascara, sailor dresses, clunky boots with sweaterdresses, etc.
Zooey Deschanel: Alright, honestly I'm a little tired of her being compared to Katy Perry, whom I have absolutely no problem with, {I actually enjoy some of her music!}, but really? She's so much more elegant, classy, & cute! With her indie roles, singing talent as the lead singer of She & Him, adorable acting, & twee wardrobe, where could she go wrong? I have a feeling she's just as happy-go-lucky & kind as she seems on the big screen. Her Style? Classic elegance. Think a modern Audrey Hepburn mixed with a 1950's housewife, creating a Luella-esque indie explosion of cute.
Ellen Page: Does it get any cuter than Ellen Page? I've been in love with her personal style since Juno, her tomboy pieces mixed in with girly dresses. She's such a great actress, & I've loved every single indie role she's played. She projects herself as a mature & intelligent young lady & isn't afraid to be painstakenly honest with the rest of the world. Tells it as it is! Her Style? Vintage tshirts, menswear, vests, darkwash jeans, Chucks, striped shirts, long brown hair, blazers, girly dresses & frocks, statement pieces, etc.
Brianna: What a cutie! I admire everything she creates. I met Brianna on etsy, then discovered her blog & flickrstream & became addicted to her kitschy creations! Not only is she a vegan gal, but she's eco friendly & pro-bicycle, & she makes her own clothes! Yeah, girlfriend! Her Style? Handmade revolution! Cute-attacks of thrifted skirts, warm colors, hoodies, self-knitted 'Picasso bicycle hats,' twee dresses, screenprinted tshirts, art, political buttons, vintage dresses, boots, cardigans, self made anything!
Iona from Pretty In Pink: I adore Iona, I truly do. She seems to change wigs every day, as well as trying on personal styles left & right! Not to mention what a mentor & friend she is to dear Andy. Her Style? Vintage taffetta prom dresses, fuzzy slippers, mohawks, chinese dresses, white wigs, spiky hair, 1950's tops, polka dots, bicycle studded vests, leather pants. Ahh!

From left to right, top to bottom: Gala Darling x2, Luella's Spring/Summer 08 {i think}, Enid of Ghostworld, Geek Chic, Audrey Hepburn with pet deer Ip, Andy Warhol & Edie Sedgwick.
Gala Darling: Found here! Super neon, tattooed wondergirl. Fashionista, writer, lover of life, hula hooper, blogger, superstar, International Playgirl, New York-New Zealand wonder named bright eyes. Wowza! I adore Gala, she was one of my many inspirations to start blogging. Her unique way of life in the fact that she makes every day a fairytale simply knocks me off my feet! Her Style? In my opinion, a tiny pink bunny with a punk rock attitude on cupcakes & cotton candy--black dresses, studded highheels, caged heels, boots of every different kind, pink frilly cupcake-like dresses, torn stockings, ultra pink hair, starburst eyes, rhinestone studded necklaces, sequins, butterfly hairclips.
Geek Chic: Does there need to be an explanation for this? Oversized glasses, cardigans with plaid skirts, knobby knees, {teehee}, geeky tshirts, hoodies, tennishoes, geekdom accessories. Whooooo!
Enid of Ghostworld: Enid is an artist & loner type--too cool for school & caught up in her own little world of old records, comic books, & kitschy tshirts. Her Style? Geek glasses, {holla!}, tshirts, plaid skirts, go-go boots, pea-coats, knee highs, button-ups, customized clothes, & polos.
Audrey Hepburn: Whose style icon list is she not on? I cannot wait to read the book 'How To Be A Hepburn In A Hilton World,' as well as see some of her films. Her Style? Her black and white elegance is just such a delight, with her long brown hair, petite frame, black cocktail dresses, long black gloves, the classic bun-pearls-&-cigarrette combo, & her pet deer, Ip.
Andy Warhol & Edie Sedgwick: Adorable together, for one. An artist, a muse. The art world's superstars. Their Style? Andy's slick black glasses, carefully combed white coif, skinny jeans, & stripes. Edie's black leggings, tunics, fur coats, cigarettes {stay in school, don't smoke}, and ballet flats.
After all of that, which by the way, took way longer than originally planned, I hope you can start looking at your own influences & find ways to start sneaking in some of the elements that you admire into your own personal closet! I left out so many of mine, like Caitlin Shearer, Kate Nash, Regina Spektor, Natalie Portman, Camilla Belle, etc. etc. etc. But ultimately, this is my fashion inspiration for fall! Have a good Friday!
xoxo,
SPRINKLE
PS-I wrote an article for StyleSampleMag.com! Please hop on over and read it, perhaps even gimme a little hello in the comments? You all are too sweet! xoxo!

Sophomore Year, Baby!

As I finish up a nice & relaxing last day of summer, filling out my crisp new planner, {pink leather!}, sharpening my Dr. Seuss pencils, & alphabetizing my folders, I can't help but think about what an excellent summer this has been... I've been to St Louis, met the Ditty Bops themselves, had amazing adventures with my friends, written for multiple magazines, {only one has been published so far, but big things are in the works, my friends!}, etc. etc. etc. I feel spoiled rotten! & of course, I've met so many new bloggers that I now call friends, I can't even believe it. Life is good. But, like any other season, it's time to bid farewell to summer & embrace the fall hip-happenings with open, sweater-encased arms! Tomorrow I'll be awaking at 5:30AM, carefully pulling on my pre-planned first day of school outfit, brushing my teeth, doing my hair, & grabbing my Betsey-Johnson-make-up-case-turned-lunch-bag before hopping onto the bus. I will be...... A SOPHOMORE. That's right, I survived Freshman Year, without so much as a swirly! Tomorrow marks a new beginning.

xoxo

Kimya Dawson Photoshoot!

Over the weekend I had my good friend Courtney over for the first time, & of course, her initiation had to be a photoshoot! ;) I love taking photos of my friends, its so much fun, & I think she had a blast doing it! She brought over a huge bag of dresses and fun clothes, while I thought of a subject we should address.. I finally decided on a Kimya Dawson photoshoot, in which we would interpret lyrics from her songs! I think we achieved our goal. :) Enjoy!

"I took the polaroid down in my room

I'm pretty sure you have a new girlfriend.

It's not as if I don't like you

It just makes me sad whenever I see it."

-Tire Swing

"Cuz I like to be gone most of the time

And you like to be home most of the time.

If I stay in one place, I lose my mind

I'm a pretty impossible lady to be with."

-Tire Swing

"I like my new bunnysuit.

I like my new bunnysuit.

I like my new bunnysuit.

When I wear it I feel cute!"

-So Nice So Smart

"And say you're my hippie I'll say I'm your hippie

We'll giggle and cuddle and always be happy

We'll never go crazy, we'll never feel crappy

We'll never feel crappy, we'll always feel happy."

-Nobody's Hippie

"When I go for a drive I like to pull off to the side

Of the road, turn out the lights, get out and look up at the sky

And I do this to remind me that I'm really, really tiny

In the grand scheme of things and sometimes this terrifies me"

-I Like Giants

Well, I hope you liked it. Have an excellent Tuesday, everyone.
xoxo,
SPRINKLE
oh, p.s...

xoxoxo

Inspired.

There are certain things in this lifetime that can transport you to another place. They come in many forms, but one word can embody every single experience—inspiration. These little reminders that you are ALIVE, that the world which surrounds you can be one of the most magical places—heaven on earth—if only you allow it. They can appear as a simple song on the radio, a film, a smile from a stranger… They are the moments that catch you off guard; things that make you wake up from a deep, bland & groggy sleep, and shake you back into the reality of possibility, of magic. You find yourself with tears in your eyes, thinking about your own everyday life, & all of the ways you’ve been depriving yourself of simple bliss.

Today I experienced this in the form of a cinematic creation—the film 500 Days of Summer. I don’t know if it was the music whose lyrics embodied my dreams or the sparkling aesthetics of the entire thing, but I was captured. My eyes lit up like a child as I watched these characters live such a free life. One full of their own personality; it was a film that defied chick-flick expectations. It didn’t end in a happily ever after, & in a way, we were told this from the beginning. But it was REAL. It screamed out to me, to the audiences everywhere, “WAKE UP! LIFE DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK OUT PERFECTLY, but the point is to get back up, shake off the dust, & no matter what, always believe in miracles, & above all else, love.”

To me, this film represented everything that I want in my life, perhaps including the general plot, perhaps not. I want a life full of big cities & skyscrapers; full of rain cascading from the clouds in strong, persistent downpours, reflecting off the yellow light of the streetlights & reaching through the city smog towards my rusty windows; full of delicate vintage dresses, hand-holding in IKEA, playing house with the love of my life, or perhaps just a love… It gave me proof that miracles could exist, & that maybe for Summer, the boy in love with the absolute IDEALS of love may not have been The One, but for me, maybe he is. I want this life! I WANT THIS LIFE. Driving home from the movie, my fingers dancing on the wind out the window, Regina Spektor floating through my ears, images from the film still haunted my mind. Sparkling butterfly clips in her brunette hair; Sweater-vest wearing boys who write greeting cards for a living & doodle skyscrapers on girls’ arms; dancing in the streets; shopping for old records & watching old movies in French; pancakes at midnight. Magic, all of it—and it’s all achievable.

So next time you find yourself crying at one of these moments, don’t just ignore it. Don’t go home & fall back into your boring everyday hassles! These little occurrences are breathtaking gifts from the Universe—reminders that as people, we have the power to change things. If you seek magic in your life, make it a reality. Sit down, cry, laugh, dance, break something, scream, write down your wishes, pray, call a friend, go to coffee with the nearest acquaintance you can find & tell them everything. But never ever forget how you feel. Because this is the most exhilarating feeling you may ever have. This is how you should feel every single day, & all of that happiness is in your reach. You have the power. Stop ignoring your potential & turn your life into a miracle. I believe in you. You are everything you could ever need—don’t ever forget what a perfect creation you are. Live it up, darling!
xoxo,
SPRINKLE

Andy Warhol's Birthday!

Today, August 6th, 2009, marks the 81st birthday of pop legend Andy Warhol, if he were still alive. If I haven't yet let it show through so far, let me just come right out & say, I am his biggest fan. I'm absolutely obsessed. In essence, Andy is the sole reason that I want to live in a big city--his "Factory" of eclectic young men & women, {& sometimes others!}, all living together for the simple celebration of life, love, &, well, drugs. But most of all, art. Andy lived with such a passion towards art, & never limited himself to one medium. His books, screen prints, paintings, photographs, films, & more continue to inspire & live on forever in the art world.

Many say that Andy was "throwing America back in its' face," in the way that he took such simple advertising & everyday items--things we often overlook--and turned them into art. Some may even say that he was mocking us, with our consumerism culture, but personally, I think he was embracing it & celebrating the simplicity. Perhaps we'll never know, & for now its mostly up to your own personal interpretation. But looking back at the life & work of this amazing artist, one can't help but be inspired...

He & little Edie Sedgwick took over New York City as well as the international art scene. They changed the way we'll look at art forever. They were a mind-blowing pair--Him a shy, eccentric artist, Edie a art-school-dropout-turned-superstar. & Together, they changed everything forever. So today, bloggettes, when you think of ways to celebrate this fantastic man's life, dig deeper. Read some biographies, watch some interviews, find yourself reminiscing. Or even jaunt on over to your local art museum & scour out some of his pieces. {I've seen 3 of his--I've attempted to touch two of these. Oops.} But here are my personal suggestions for celebrating the big day...

**Get an old film camera & shoot pictures of the food in your pantry, inanimate objects, strangers, your feet... {I once had a friend who took a bunch of photos of her feet & arranged them in a Warhol-like manner. Weird.}

**Find your muse. Dress them up in striped sweaters & black leggings & take countless photos of them. Go crazy.

**Have your own Edie-like photo shoot... See Gala Darling's Guide to dressing like Edie, & see her own photo shoot!

**Make yourself & all your friends a Velvet Underground mix tape, even have a little party while listening. Drink strawberry milkshakes out of shot glasses, {who wants alcohol??}, & sit around talking about artistic things like great intellectuals...

**Fill your living room or bedroom, & I really mean fill, with silver Mylar balloons. Watch them float around while reading about their significance in the Warhol World...

**Wear jet black sunglasses all day long.

**Set up a camera & record yourself telling a story about your life & making cute faces. Be like Edie. Edit it on your computer to make it black & white & shaky. Windows Movie Maker has these options, & I know Apple computers have awesome software.

**Paint. Paint your heart out.

**Spend your entire day creating art. Get splatters of paint all over yourself & stop worrying about perfection. What Would Warhol Do?

**Buy yourself a birthday cake & blow out the candles.

Happy 81st, Andy. We'll always love you. I know I do.

xoxo,

SPRINKLE