A portfolio is crucial for artists. It's also one of the hardest things to put together. How do you represent everything you've done in a handful of pages? What defines your art and how do you show that to someone? To me, making a portfolio is less about gathering bits of who you are and more about getting rid of everything you're not. The process of cutting work that doesn't fit add to your vision is a process of getting to the core of your artistry. When I was approached by Blurb to build a mini portfolio of my work, I was both excited and nervous to go through this process of getting to my core. You constantly have to ask yourself: what's my perspective?

The first part of the process in building the book was deciding what type of portfolio I wanted to create. I ultimately went with a "mini portfolio" to show a select collection of my work rather than the entire range of my art. Through editing some unpublished pictures of my travels and creating some new studio work, I built a small photo book that gives a reader a quick glimpse into what the world looks like in my head. It's meant to be a conversation starter, rather than the whole conversation.

DIY | Mother's Day Pink Cafe

Alright, who doesn't love a pink table?! With spring in the air, I especially enjoy working on projects that get me outside a bit more and up-cycling my backyard furniture with a new paint job definitely hit the spot. With Mother's Day just around the corner, I wanted to give her something we could both enjoy as an experience. Given that we both love cafes, chai tea lattes, and the color pink, I decided to create my own little pink cafe for her right in my backyard! It requires going outside to get your hands a bit dirty and your clothes a bit paint stained, but it's entirely worth it. Plus, you never have to change out of your pajamas to get that cute Instagram shot everyone takes at cafes! This project was inspired by the Pink Grapefruit hand wash by Method, which I'm so glad I had on hand (you'll see!). Keep reading below for a quick and easy way to update your backyard furniture and build a pink cafe for Mother's Day!

DIY | Floral Coasters

There's nothing I love more than combining flowers with...well, just about anything. Now that spring is just around the corner, I'm going to go a little floral crazy over here. First up, these cute and fun floral drink coasters that are great for adding a little unexpected pop to your table next time you're hosting a get-together. They could also make great, handmade gifts for someone's housewarming party! Overall, they're colorful, simple, and easy...just the way I like it! Read more to learn how to make these floral delights... 

How to Be a Tourist at Home | The Mindset

    

    In this series, we share local adventures and help you find ways 

to be a tourist in your own hometown

I am guilty of silent tourist shaming. When you watch someone try to maneuver an unfamiliar place...well, let's just say it's quite amusing. There are the confused faces, the camera faces, the awestruck faces when they stare up at a monument you rush past every day. Tourists are very easy to spot, but how come? Perhaps it's their mannerisms or dress -- I mean, who wears ankle socks in the middle of summer?! But that's not quite it. Tourists are easy to spot because they're simply paying attention - to everything. Sounds, signs, storefronts, street art, statues...everything from magical to mundane is worth a few more seconds to think about, look at, listen to, or capture. They are in a constant state of trying to put together as many pieces as possible despite knowing they may never see the entire picture. They are, simply, in a different mindset.

Tourism, done well, has little to do with distance. You could travel to the opposite side of the world and be considered a "bad" tourist. Because, at its core, tourism is all about learning and curiosity driven discovery. And that can happen every single day, right outside your door. I never really thought this was possible until I tried it for myself and it's completely changed how I view my city. So, I'm excited to start this new series that will showcase ways you can capitalize on what your city has to offer. To start, I've gathered a few tips below on how to get your mindset ready to travel like a tourist in your hometown...

RECIPE | Happy Macarons

It's a plane...no, it's a star...no, it's a MIRACLE! After more than a year of failed attempts and discouraging oven battles, I have successfully baked a batch of french macarons. For some of you, this may seem trivial. But for those of you who know me well, it's a pretty big deal. Mostly because they've been first-hand witness to the near crazy I've become over perfecting these cookies. I'm not sure what has me so hooked about them. The variety of pastel colors, perhaps? Or the amount of patience required to bake them? Possibly, but not likely. It's probably all driven by my inner, wannabe member of the "Gossip Girl" clique and eat famous Laduree macarons delivered fresh from Paris to my New York estate. Yup, I'm pretty sure that's it. But, I digress.

After so many trials, I've been able to learn a thing or two about these tiny treats. Naturally, I'd love to share them with you all so you don't drive yourselves near crazy like I did. So instead of a flavored macaron recipe, these are just called "happy macarons" because I'm just so darn happy they finally turned out okay. Keep reading after the jump for my tips and tricks to making your own perfect batch of macarons!

DIY Superpower Shoes

I'm all about putting some kick in your step with this DIY project...literally! And let's be honest. We are all superheroes; it's about time our shoes reflect that too. Am I right or am I right? For all those wanting to channel your inner Jessica Jones or Super Girl or Beyonce, these DIY Superpower Shoes will do all the talking necessary. Keep reading below for this quick and "POW!"-erful fashion statement...

DIY | Floral Tea Bags

This project goes out to all my fellow tea drinkers, what's up y'all! I made these sweet, simple, and easy floral tea bags because...well, why not? As Valentine's Day approaches, I kind of grew a little tired of seeing the same pink and red hearts out there. I wanted to create a less cheesy way to give flowers to your special someone yet still show that you care. It's all about the little touch, people. Keep reading after the jump to learn how to make these love and spring inspired floral tea bags....

Tips | Living Colorfully

I like to capture a colorful life but, I have to admit, I don't always live a colorful life on a day to day basis. How so? Well, my closet is mostly filled with black, gray, and lighter gray. I stare at textbooks with barely any use of color most of the day. And I sit at a desk or in front of a computer, soaking up as much color as I can to compensate for everything else. If this sounds like you too, I'm glad I'm not the only one. But maybe there's hope for us, right? There's gotta be. I've jotted down some quick and easy ways we can both start to put some intentional color into our every day. 

Food | Pink Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate in the wintertime has always been a unique cultural combination for me. My parents are from Haiti, but they lived in Mexico for several years before I was born. I remember growing up sipping Mexican Hot Chocolate more than any other type. Recently, since I married a European, I began to indulge (perhaps too much) in the wonders of that thick, creamy, and concentrated european hot chocolate style. Now, I've created my own type inspired by the culture of color: pastel hot chocolate! It's super quick to make and a great idea for Valentine's Day, ladies night, or simply amusing your tastebuds. Keep reading for all the deets! 

Thoughts | Caught in the Middle

Now that we are a few days into the new year, I can't help but notice how hard it is to let go of 2015. When I sign my name, my hand automatically scribbles down "1/5/2015" on the date line. When I look at my milk's expiration date, I happily smile to see "2015." But then, I luckily realize -- nope, that's expired. It's like I'm caught in the middle. Not completely past 2015 but not completely into 2016. Although difficulty adjusting into the new year happens, indeed, every year for me, I began to think a lot more about why this is so...

Food | London's Most Colorful Places to Eat, Part 1

I absolutely love Brazil. I've travelled there twice, got engaged there, made great friends there, and I'm waiting for the day when I can return again. In the meantime, anything that can bring back such incredible memories of the vibrant and complex Brazilian culture is a win-win for me. When I travelled to London this past month, I sought out some of the most colorful places to eat. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed one bit! I was especially surprised (aka...freaking out) to discover one of the most colorful buildings in the city is also a Brasilian Barbeque restaurant. Needless to say, it was a perfect match. Keep reading to see just how colorfully delicious this place is in every way!

Travel | London | Conrad St. James

I've always wanted to go to London. I don't know when this longing began and I don't know exactly why, but London was just my place to be. The English accent, the pastel houses in Notting Hill, the cheeky humor, double decker buses, and red telephone booths -- I wanted everything touristy and I couldn't wait to have it all. So, naturally, as I trekked across Europe this winter, I was sure to book a few days in London. The big question remained, where would I stay during such an iconic trip?

Whenever I travel to a city that is unfamiliar to me, I find it crucial to stay as close to the center of life as possible. It allows you easy access to anything and a sense of comfort in learning the ropes on how to get around. Naturally, the Conrad St. James was the perfect fit! I was so thrilled when they invited me to stay in their stunning hotel in the heart of London. Literally. The Buckhingham Palace and Big Ben are down the street, a major Underground metro stop is across the street, and New Scotland Yard is just around the corner. Even more unique, the Conrad St. James is very creative when it comes to helping guests experience the most out of London. Curious what that could mean? Keep reading below! 

Life | Happy Holidays!

It can never be said enough...happy holidays everyone! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannakuh, Kwanza, or nothing at all, this time of year is all about making special memories, gathering with those we love, and looking back on all we've gone through in just one year. It's crazy to think about where I was a year ago. I was applying to medical school, living in the worst snow seasons ever recorded in Boston, and planning a wedding! I can't begin to imagine what the next year holds...but for now, I'm going to eat some cookies and chill in my pajamas all day! Happy Holidays!

Travel | Grand Hotel Du Palais Royal

What do you call the ultimate combination of warm luxury, a city of romance, and rooftop views of a sparkling Eiffel Tower? It could be called "perfection," but it just so happens to be called Grand Hotel du Palais Royal. Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a night in this stunning, five-star boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. I arrived exhausted after a 10 hour flight and only left with a longing for the day I return. Curious to know what could have happened in just 24 hours here? Keep reading below...

Travel | Follow that pink coat

This month I decided to celebrate the holidays a little differently. For the first time, I'll spend them away from home. I was a bit nervous about the idea at first. I absolutely love Christmas in California. It's warm, relaxing, and my mom always cooks a bombtastic meal. Every single time. I also get to wear my pajamas all day and not feel one ounce of shame about it. However, now that I'm married and living this whole adult life deal, I thought it was about time I expand my Christmas traditions. So, this month, I'll be traveling across Europe and spending the holidays with my husband and his family in the Czech Republic! The weather will be colder, the language harder to understand (have you ever tried to learn Czech?!), and possibly a lot more beer at dinner time. But life is an adventure right?! I'm ready to dive in.

In the meantime, you can follow my colorful journey as I trek across Paris, London, Geneva, and Prague! My unifying theme will be #followthatpinkcoat as I capture colorful sites wearing this perfect pink coat I found from Asos. There will also be travel posts on the blog for each city coming this month, as well as daily updates on my Instagam (@creativekipi). Let's go for a colorful adventure this season, shall we?! 

How are you celebrating the holidays? Feel free to share below - I'd love to hear! 

Holidays | Pinterest Gift Guides!

I was approached by Pinterest a few weeks back to put together some holiday gift guides, and I couldn't help but select some of the most colorful items one can buy! I created two guides, one for "Homebodies" (aka those who love Netflix, long naps, and leaving the house only on necessary terms) and one for "DIYers" (aka those who'd rather spend twice as long and maybe twice as much money to make something themselves rather than buy it). Both of these fit my own self-descriptions pretty well, so it was an easy task. Check out my Pinterest for more inspiration for the holidays and colorful projects, travels, art, and more! 

Life | Giving Thanks

Celebrating Thanksgiving is one of my favorite things to do -- how can you not enjoy a day devoted to family, friendship, food, and good fortune? Even though everything in life can never be perfect, this day urges us to reconsider why we should even wait for that to happen. I am so thankful for the love in my life, the progress I've made towards my career, and the creative outlets that inspire me everyday. Thanks for being a part of my colorful journey, and I hope the day felt like a thousand sunflowers! 

Client Work | Dior

I had the absolute pleasure to work on an exciting collaboration with Dior Beauty and their newest Prestige collection! I was tasked with the challenge to creatively capture what prestige means to me. Naturally, my imagination started rolling. I based my photographs on the concept of weightlessness. My first image (pictured above) incorporates this element as the product drifts away in sweet floral waters. My second image (below) inspires a sense of lifting with the sunrise. And my third image features prestige as soaring among imaginary pink clouds - the ultimate luxury. It was a wonderful experience in creative exploration for this project, and I hope you enjoyed it! All these images were featured on my Instagram (@creativekipi), follow me for more creative captures every day! 

DIY | Candy Dot Purse

Somebody say candy dots?! This DIY clutch is inspired not only by those color coated mounds of pure sugar, but also by this bag by designer. I saw it in a fashion post by CarrieC a couple weeks bag and fell in love. What else was I to do than try to make a spin-off? Here it is folks...fun, quick, and easy!

What you'll need:

-solid color bag/purse/clutch

-semi-circle wooden dots

-markers

-strong glue

Instructions:

1. Color your wooden dots as desired using markers. You could also spray paint them, but given that I made these while on vacation, I didn't have the option. Using a marker means essentially no drying time, but also means a less than perfect color coating.

2. Align the dots on the bag as desired. Drop a dot of glue on the base of the wooden semi-circle and press onto the surface of the bag. Hold for at least 15-20 seconds, or until glue has dried enoughto keep the wooden circle secured. 

3. Continue gluing dots to your heart's content! Let the bag sit for an hour or two to ensure the glue dries thoroughly. Then, hit the town and buy some sweets to stuff it with! :)

Travel | Czech Republic

I've been to Czech Republic twice before, but this past June I had the chance to visit once more. Let me tell you: third time is definitely the charm! My husband is originally from Prague, so I am forever tied to this country, its delicious soups, historic soviet and renaissance charm, and slightly (impossibly!) difficult language to learn. What made this trip so different? Keep reading below...