goodness galore.

Since I started blogging last November, my world has opened up--in more ways than one. Not only have I discovered this enormously supportive blogosphere, I've also found many people who have become my real life friends. Case in point: I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Marissa from the boot for an absolutely perfect blate {aka a blogger date} on the East Side of Providence {many thanks to Megan for coining the term #blate!}. We chowed down on some Indian fare before toasting the night with a few glasses of prosecco, all while chatting a mile a minute and discovering even more similarities than we already knew about one another. I loved every minute! Here are just a few photos...

I can't thank Marissa enough for making the trip down to Providence--and I can't wait for more blates with her before she leaves New England for her home in Italy this September. If you haven't checked out her blog, you're missing out...she's even more gorgeous and even more inspiring in person! 

The other takeaway? You MUST try your hand at a blogger meet-up...they help bring blogging to life and really help you understand what a phenomenal community we have here! {psst: if you're in New England, you should check out the blogger rendez-vous I'm co-hosting with {jd} at cornflake dreams over the second weekend in September!} 

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Last week, I shared a little bit more of myself and many of you also shared fun facts about yourselves. 

I had so much fun getting to know more about you all :) I also asked if you had any burning questions

for me. Here are the answers to two of those questions...

Lindsay asked: what do you put in your hair to make your curls look so good? 

Do tell your secret, because my curls are sort of just a pile of frizz...

The simple fact anyone is asking me about my hair products makes me smile because it was one of those things which I fought for years until I found this solution. I've tried plenty of expensive products {like the Moroccan Curl Cream, etc.}, but none--and I repeat none--work like these Pantene products do. I use a TON of product in my hair, so you can't beat the cost. I know a lot of people hate on Pantene, but I'm a fan for life.

There is a method to my curl madness: I first put my hair in a towel immediately after getting out of the shower and keep it in the towel until I'm ready to do my hair {but I try to keep it to 3 or 4 minutes}. After I take the towel off, I flip my head down and generously spray in the detangler. I then flip my head upright and brush {yes BRUSH} my hair through completely.

From there, I flip my head back down and put in the mousse {it normally takes three handfuls--but I have a lot of hair}. Before bringing my head back up, I put my towel back on my head--and I don't touch my hair at all until right before I leave the house. By keeping the towel on, I keep frizz at bay--and keep my curls looking nice. I hope that helps, Lindsay! :) If you would have seen me in 7th grade, I guarantee you wouldn't have been asking for my advice...but after doing this for ten years, I say it works ;) 

{read more about the detangler and the mousse on the Pantene website!} 

Here's another question from Mateya:

How do you get your posts with those fun fonts and crazy outlines??

I'm not a trained professional, so when anyone asks about my blog design, I am beyond flattered. {So...thank you Mateya!} Since we moved to Providence, I have taken a few classes at RISD, which helped immensely in improving my skills "behind the scenes". I find all my fonts on Font Squirrel, a free site which has a TON of great fonts you can install directly to your computer. I suggest choosing only two or three fonts and sticking to them. Using more fonts than that can get overwhelming and discombobulating for your readers. As the daughter of a sign maker, I also know simplicity in fonts helps--you want what you're writing to be readable!

When I make my collages, I use Adobe Illustrator. I was able to purchase the Adobe Creative Suite through RISD at a discount, but otherwise, I know it can be quite costly. The outlines around many of my photos and graphics are made with a few clicks of the mouse while in Adobe Illustrator. You can get your own free trial of Adobe Illustrator here, though it  might be a little daunting without any sort of instruction. I would highly suggest trying to find a few classes to help you get the hang of it, if you really want to navigate Adobe with ease.

Phew! Are you tired of me today!? I bet you are...thanks for bearing with me!

I have one question for you: what is one material thing you can't live without on a daily basis?
{Mine would have to be--embarrassingly enough--my hair products...shhh!}
Do you have any other questions for me?! I'm happy to answer them!

Much love to all of you this Wednesday--is it Friday yet?! See you back here tomorrow! xoxo {av}
P.S. If you're a long distance warrior, please email me! You just might appear in a new feature here on {long distance loving} :)