A new way to follow Polka Dot Soup: Blog Lovin'

There's a new way to read along with Polka Dot Soup. As you may have heard, Google Reader is closing their doors this year on July 1st. In order to make preparations and keep my readers in the loop, I thought that it's time to get aboard the Blog Lovin' train. Follow my blog with Bloglovin and make me a happy girl!

Blog Design: Idle Hide

I redesigned a blog that I'm excited to share with you today! My friend Heidi of Idle Hide has a lifestyle and fitness blog that needed an overhaul. It's an interactive, personal-feeling blog that needed a design that conveyed that feeling in a better way. Together, we came up with a concept of the direction that she wanted to take her blog and I created a design. The new look is fresh, fun and helps the overall vibe of the blog to be cohesive. We simplified the layout and made the blog more user-friendly. Take a look at the before and after:

Idle Hide blog - before the redesign

Idle Hide blog - after the redesign

It was such a fun project to work on! Heidi is thrilled about the outcome of the blog, which in my mind equals a successful design. As a graphic design student just starting my design journey, it's exciting to have happy and satisfied customers. Positive vibes are the best motivators and method of encouragement. A successful project looks great in the portfolio! Thanks, Heidi, for allowing me to work on your blog!

If you have a design project in mind, please contact me. My e-mail address is littleohme@hotmail.com (or contact me here through Polka Dot Soup) and I'd love to help you create something special.

Happy weekend!

Hello Spring : Polka Dot Soup Wardrobe Update 2013

Happy Spring! Nothing like the first day of spring to make you want to get out your pretty bright colours! I had a snow day today - school was cancelled on the first day of spring. Too funny - we're in a snow belt where we live, so I shouldn't be so surprised. 

In an ever-constant attempt to downsize and simplify, I took the time today to organize my closet. Dan and I share a closet, which makes it next to impossible to keep anything more than we need, but guess what? We both keep everything anyway, and our closet suffers because of it. Here's what I removed from my wardrobe to donate: 2 vests, 4 skirts, 6 blouses, 4 t-shirts, 2 blazers, 5 sweaters - wowee!

My constant battle is having lots of clothes, but not a lot of items that go together. I love colour and pattern, and because of that, unless I want to look like I'm from the looney bin, I don't have many coordinating pieces. I've managed to pare down my wardrobe and cull out some of the pieces that are hard to work with, or that I'm not in love with. On our trip last week, I took special care to only pack items that could be worn in three or more different ways. It made my week so much easier! 

I've been picking up items here and there over the past two months in preparation for warmer weather. The colour palette is fairly consistent, and the pieces go with items that I already have. I'm a bit of a cardigan addict, so I chose to purchase mostly sleeveless tops that I can wear under cardigans and blazers that I own already. My dear friend sent me a necklace and scarf that suit my style perfectly, so I'm adding them to my spring wardrobe assortment. I bought three tops and two cheery scarves (none of which were over $20) as a simple update. A mint and cream cardigan that I picked up at the end of last summer (regular price of $150 and I got it for $20! score!), a coral animal print top I received for Christmas, a thrifted coral tank, and two thrifted necklaces round out the mix. I'm set for spring!

How about you? What ways do you like to bring in new pieces to freshen your closet? Do share!

Multitude Monday : March 18, 2013

It's Multitude Monday! Each week time I like to share ten things that I'm currently thankful for in my life. It helps to keep me aware of the positives in my day-to-day experiences, and it's also a great way to start my week. There are so many things in each of our lives that can weigh us down, but if we stop and think about it, we are so blessed. I am so blessed. Feel free to use the idea and start your own list in your journal or blog, or even in the comments of this post. Today's list is all about the vacation that Dan and I took together last week. Here's a peek at some of my Instagram photos from the trip:

Today, I'm thankful for:

641 - the best spring break ever!

642 - spending an entire week with Daniel (and no one else that I know :) )

643 - hearing French at every turn and slowly picking up on a phrase or two

644 - walking every day up and down cobblestone streets

645 - taking a train ride for the first time - it's my new favourite method of travel

646 - checking another provincial capital off of my must-visit list

647 - sitting in a cafe and playing Scrabble while munching on chocolate croissants

648 - wonderful sleeps every night and having a lovely breakfast every morning

649 - getting a serious case of the giggles in the car on the ride home

650 - coming home and snuggling with my dog - he was a lonely critter while we were away

What about you? What are you currently thankful for? Do share!

Happy Monday!

Wardrobe Organization

I thought this was neat and had to share: a guide to organizing your wardrobe – an infographic by the team at Apartment Geeks. A beautifully created infographic that has some handy-dandy tips. Enjoy!