shop crush • Faces and Faces

My pal Nicole from Coco Maria recently opened up a new Etsy shop, Faces and Faces, and really -- how freaking cute is it? Seriously, go look. I asked Nicole a few questions about the shop, and I'd like to share her answers with you here. Thank you, Nicole! :)

Her inspiration: The reason I started this shop was probably just because I wanted to a way to be creative. I generally channel my creativity into writing, but I've been struggling with it a lot lately. I still wanted a way to be creative and make something, though. I decided to start making little felt author figures, not only because I am a crazy person, but because I love literature too (but probably mostly because I'm a crazy person). And as I was finishing up Edgar Allan Poe's facial features, I thought it would be cool to stop where I was and make face brooches instead of figures, this way I (and others) could wear my favorite authors around. Thus, Faces and Faces was born (though it certainly took me way too long to name the store).


Sylvia Plath Brooch

The product development:
Each brooch is made to order, which makes it unique. I spend what is probably too much time working on each brooch, trying to make it look as much like the author and the Etsy photo as possible.


Allen Ginsberg Brooch

Her favorite author to read and to create:
My favorite author is probably Kurt Vonnegut (though I love so many), but he's definitely not my favorite brooch to make, haha! Getting his brow furrow and mouth just right is super frustrating. Poe is probably my favorite brooch to make, which is fortunate since he also seems to be the most popular.


Walt Whitman Brooch

introducing • frames!

Vintage frames are now available to accompany prints from the Wanderlust Print collection in the A Wild Tonic Etsy shop.

a little cooler.

The last few days have been a little cooler than the days before, and I am quite happy about it. As you may know, I'm not the hugest fan of summer and/or ridiculous heat, but this sunny yet breezy weather is fine by me. I love this sweater that I got from my internship, because it's just warm enough to shield me from strong breezes and air conditioning, but not too heavy. I tied it up since it's longer in front than my dress, which gave me a really weird silhouette. I don't care that much though; it kinda looks like I'm wearing a hoop skirt. Haha! ;) Anyhow, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed today. I think it's because of something that happened last night at Frank's. He was putting some clothes away, and I noticed just how simple and minimal his room is. His closet isn't stuffed with clothes, there aren't a bunch of storage bins under his bed, and there aren't piles of vintage to be listed next to his dresser. I like to be a minimal person, and I'm always trying to keep my life simple. I definitely have way more than I need, and I continue to buy new things every now and then, but I think that can easily be changed. I've already started pulling clothes to donate or bring to The Attic, and I made a list of things I absolutely cannot buy for a good while (specifically notebooks and nail polish). I think if I work on it little by little every day, I can get to a point where I'm satisfied within the next few weeks. Wish me luck!

what I'm wearing • dress: Forever 21 | sweater: from my internship
flats: Payless (previously seen here and here) | glasses: Derek Cardigan via Coastal.com
owl necklace: gift from Frank's brother (previously seen here and here)

nautical blues.

Not much to talk about today except I love this crazy bangle from Inpink, and although it doesn't really match with my blouse, I wore it anyway! Also, I still can't get over how much I downright adore my new glasses. P.S. Click over to the collection of accessories giveaway and see if you're the winner!

what I'm wearing • blouse: vintage, via Goodwill | jeans: Gap | moccasins: Minnetonka, via Goodwill
glasses: Derek Cardigan via Coastal.com | satchel: Adventurer Vintage | bracelet: Inpink, via a gift card from TxSC

music monday: Fleetwood Mac - "The Chain"

sponsor a wild tonic in july!

Hey friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend! I wanted to let you know that I'm currently accepting blog sponsors for July. Check out my sponsorship page for more info. :)

neon and stripes and neon.

This is one of my favorite outfits that's ever been posted on the ole blog. I saw the "Lettuce Turnip The Beet" shirt in an Etsy Finds email a few weeks ago and had to have it. I'm not one to let a good pun fall by the wayside. I thought wearing the neon tank with a neon purse might be a bit too much, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I wore this out to a bar on Friday with Frank and some friends and had a little too much fun if you know what I mean. Saturday at the internship was rough, as evidenced here. Haha!

what I'm wearing • tank: coup on Etsy | skirt: Victoria's Secret (previously seen here and here)
flats: Urban Outfitters (previously seen here) | glasses: Derek Cardigan via Coastal.com
neon satchel: Cambridge Satchel Company (previously seen here, here, here, here, and here)

current obsession: instaglasses.

From Instaglasses.com: "Life is beautiful, any way you see it. Don't miss a second of it with our eyewear, featuring various filtered lenses. Instaglasses: Filters for Real Life."

I don't want any fancy filtered lenses. I just want a pair of glasses with the rainbow in the middle. Judge away. ;)

Image source.

CLOSED! • a wild giveaway • win this lulu's dress!

Hey, friends! I have another fun giveaway for you today. One lucky winner will win this dress from Lulu's in size large! Here's a link to the dress on the Lulu's site: Bow Tied for First Taupe & Coral Strapless Dress. Please note: This giveaway is not endorsed by Lulu's. The dress was given to me at an event and doesn't suit me. :( There are four ways to enter. Leave a separate comment for each entry, please. Any links you'll need can be found on the left sidebar.

• Follow the blog via Blogger or Bloglovin'
• Follow on Twitter
• Tweet a link to the giveaway and be sure to mention @awildtonic
• Pin the image above on Pinterest and link it to this post

Don't forget to include a way to contact you in case you win! One winner will receive the Bow Tied for First Taupe & Coral Strapless Dress from Lulu's in size large. Anyone worldwide can enter. The winner will be chosen on Sunday, July 8th. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winner of the dress is stefanie gladden. Congratulations, Stefanie!

DIY • tattoo fund jar.

Heads up--I totally yoinked this idea from the lovely Kyla Roma. I am not taking credit for the idea, and if you want to see her original post, go here: Crafty Budgeting & My Tattoo Fund!

I've talked a bit about my tattoos, and I will be talking about them more over the next few weeks. I have a fairly large and elaborate tattoo planned as a birthday gift to myself, but since I'm not rich, I have to start saving for it a bit early. I have about 86 days until my birthday, and if my tattoo costs $400 (an over-exaggeration), that means I need to save about $4.65 per day. I decided to create this "Tattoo Fund" jar from an idea I got from Kyla Roma (see above). I think it'll be a kinda fun way to save my pennies. I've already thrown in twenty bucks and a penny I found on my front lawn, so I'm like half-way there, right? ;)

To make a similar jar: get a jar, some glue, and a print-out of whatever you'd like. I used washi tape and a sharpie to actually write "Tattoo Fund" over the flash of a Sailor Jerry ship. I was going to put the print-out on the inside of the jar, facing out, but it was too big, so i stuck it on the back facing into the jar. After I went crazy with the glue (how much fun is peeling dried glue off your fingers? seriously..), I put the jar in front of my fan for a few minutes and DONE. Let's save some money and get inked. B)

feeling summery.

Guys, it's hot. I was outside for about eight minutes earlier today and I thought my skin was falling off. Obviously, it's not that bad, I think I'm just not meant for this. After I got out of my internship last night, I rushed to Frank's trying to beat sunset so Frank could take outfit shots for me. I got there faster than last time, but still not fast enough because these shots are a bit blurry. Oh well, you get the idea. It's a simple outfit anyway. I'm pretty much always wearing these Gap jeans and Minnetonka moccasins when I'm at my internship. Comfort is key; slightly boring, but key. The tank, nail polish, and lipstick made me feel extra-summery, though! Frank had this delicious pulled chicken sandwich and a double bottle of white wine waiting for me when I arrived. Bless him. We ate and watched a few episodes of "Breaking Bad" with one of his roommates before I passed out. A solid Tuesday, I'd say.

what I'm wearing • tank: Forever 21 | jeans: Gap | moccasins: Minnetonka, via Goodwill

some Disney love.

NERD ALERT.

A. How fierce is Ms. Jolie in this shot of her as Maleficent? The movie "Maleficent," a re-imagining of "Sleeping Beauty" told from the witch's point of view à la "Wicked," won't be released for a while, but this has certainly whetted my appetite. And I don't even really like Angelina Jolie! (Image via ScreenRant.com; edited by me.)

B. These two trailers. "Monsters University" and "Wreck It Ralph" are two new flicks that I cant wait for. Sully is using a Polaroid! I love it!




C. How cute is this illustration of Merida from "Brave"? I'm hoping to see it this weekend, though I read some poor reviews. :( Click the image for the source.



/NERD ALERT

overcoming stage fright.

These photos are over a month old. They somehow ended up in the depths of iPhoto, lost and lonely..until today. Speaking of lost and lonely, every since I was in elementary school, I've had incredible stage fright. I blame it on this one performance I was a part of in (maybe) second grade, in which I accidentally sang the first verse of a song, right after another girl sang the first verse and I was supposed to sing the second. I've always been a very outgoing person, but something about getting up in front of people to speak/sing/dance/act/whatever scares the heck out of me. There's a fine line around the perimeter of my comfort zone. Last month, Kim, Erica, her boyfriend, and I went to one of Frank's cover band's shows. A good time was had, as usual. This time, the guys decided to put out a book with a selection of songs and lyrics, so some of the bar patrons could sing. Erica's boyfriend was the first to volunteer (go Rich!), Kim sang with our friend Elena, and Erica and I sang "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit. It was invigorating. I feel like a new woman.

what I'm wearing • dress: c/o a gift card from Lands' End Canvas | moccasins: Minnetonka, via Goodwill
necklace: inpink, via a gift card from TxSC | purse: Gucci


We are terribly glamorous.

reminder • pre-summer five dollar sale ends wednesday!

A few friendly reminders! The pre-summer five dollar sale will end on Wednesday night, so make sure to head over to the shop and buy anything you've had your eye on ASAP. I've included just a handful of the sale items below. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing. Also, don't forget to enter the the collection of accessories giveaway, which ends on Sunday, June 24th. :)