The Characters of Norman Rockwell

It's a rainy day here in DC. Perfect for curling up on the couch and watching old movies or hitting up one of the free museums here in DC. The other day my younger brother and I headed over to see George Lucas' and Steven Spielberg's collection of Norman Rockwell's paintings at the Smithsonian American Museum of Art. His paintings always tell a story and each person is a fully developed character (just like in the movies!) Here are some of my favorites.



The Flirts. I love this one! The man is pulling off petals of a daisy!



Some critics said that Rockwell was too old fashioned with his subject matter. Many believe this was a self portrait of him looking at more radical work of the time.



Upon seeing this one my brother says, "I've been there!"

New Orleans...a little something extra

Sometimes, like all daughters I suppose, I wonder how my parents got their little (at times embarrassing but lovable) quirks. Hardly ever abashed, always adventurous and ever so friendly my parents are unlike any parents I know from my hometown in Texas. I found out on my latest trip to their hometown, New Orleans where it all comes from. Sure, New Orleans is known for their free spirited partiers and laid back attitude but the people who live there year around must be of the more serious type.

And that's where you'd be wrong.

People from New Orleans will not hesitate to stop you on the street to comment on your jacket or ask you the time (or on Mardi Gras weekend, what day it is) and from that first encounter you'll find out their name, what street they live on, figure out you shared a teacher in grade school, and probably end up going to get a drink with them.


My parents decided to take my new husband and I on a trip to New Orleans as a wedding gift and that's where I saw my parents in a new light (my husbands eyes) and I realized New Orleans is part of their personality, part of their soul and always will be. In New Orleans, my parents aren't embarrassing, loud, or crazy, rather their just quite normal. One of the locals. They took us down memory lane, showing us the old cemetery where both of them have family members, showed us the houses they grew up in, took us to the Southern Decadence (Gay Mardi Gras) Parades (where they quickly made friends), and even took us to the infamous Pat O'Brien's (where my mom and her girlfriends went for a celebratory drink after finishing law school and where high school students from my dad's high school still go to listen to the live pianist). New Orleans isn't just a place they once lived, but rather what shaped them to become the people they are today.


I had a great time eating all the sinful food (mmmm beignets), shopping in the oldest market in the US, and just walking around the french quarter with my hubby and parents. I even had a shop keeper use the word "lagniappe" with me when I was buying old french chandelier crystals from the 1850s! It's the word I used to name my jewelry business (Lanyapi) that means "a little something extra". And that's the spirit that sums up New Orleans for me...where people give you a little something extra!

Fall...here I come!

It's been a scorching hot summer here in DC so I am especially looking forward to fall this year. Here are a few of my favorite things for the season:

--> Having lived in sandals all summer I'm excited for new footwear. I love to keep my toes warms in my Minnetonkas!


--> Cooler weather means perfect time to work out outdoors and not pass out from the heat. I'm training for my first sprint triathlon that takes place in two weeks. Perfect timing.


--> Seasonal veggies. I'm a fan of the hearty veggies and I love trying new recipes. I'm a little obsessed with caramelized brussel sprouts , parsnips, and kale chips at the moment!


-->Long necklaces. I love jazzing up my sweaters with a luscious long necklace. My new favorite is this Indian inspired one now available in my shop!


-->Staying in bed just a little bit longer in the morning to enjoy your warm bed!


-->Tights and leggings! And I love them with a twist. Currently I'm living in a pair with a cute gold zipper embellishment but I love lace ones too! Pair 'em with sexy boot or colorful flat and you are ready to go! This etsy artist has some great ones!


-->Camping. I absolutely get giddy when I think about camping in the fall. No mosquitoes, perfect hiking weather, and camp fires. Seriously there is nothing better. 'Bout to go plan my next trip! Enjoy your fall!

10 things to pack on your next trip

Weather it's a camping trip for the weekend, a Caribbean beach getaway, or a touristy trip I love to travel. Smart packing is important. Here are my top 10 things you must pack on your next trip to make your travel more enjoyable.

1) Sleep mask- even if you don't normal use one you'll be happy to have it when your on a plane or staying in your friend's sunny room with no blinds. I love Bucky's collection.
2) Running shoes- I love exploring places with an early morning run when the city is just starting to rise.
3) Journal- I am always inspired by what I see, taste, and experience when I travel so I carry around a tiny journal to write down all my ideas, quotes I see, and more.
4) Foldable reusable bag- these are useful when you go a little overboard with your shopping and barely take up any room in your luggage. If you carry it in your purse then you don't have to get any plastic bags purchasing souvenirs. I love this one.
5) A good read- One of my favorite parts of traveling is catching up on my reading. Be sure to pack a book. You'll be glad you have it when you have any travel delays.
6) Your favorite lotion- Your skin can get dry when on flights so having a little travel size of your favorite lotion is nice. Having a great smelling lotion with you can help you moisturize, remind you of home, and double as perfume.
7) A long scarf- A scarf can jazz up an outfit, keep you warm on those chilly nights, and even double as a beach towel. So useful. I love this skull printed one.
8) Jewelry- Jewelry is the key to packing light. Pack neutral clothes that can be mixed and matched and bring a few key jewelry pieces to pump up your outfit for night or to give an outfit a whole new vibe. I love long necklaces and cocktail rings.
9) Comfy but cute walking shoes- You don't have to sacrifice style for comfort these days. Be sure to bring a pair of cute flats or sandals that can be used for day and night. Delicate Sole even roll up to save you even more room in your suitcase.
10) Camera- The easiest way to capture all those moments you want to share with your family and friends when you get back.

Lets All Go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride

I've wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride for sometime now. Sure, it's not as adventurous as sky diving or bunging jumping but I'd find it thrilling. One of these days I'll make it in one of those cute little baskets (hopefully with a bottle of bubbly in hand!) but until then I'll just share some amazing pictures!

If you know me then you now I love making jewelry with little secret compartments. I adore designing necklaces with secret love letters and lockets with unique storage space. Recently I have discovered a set of sterling silver charms that are to die for. They are the most detailed unique charms I have come across in a long time. Here's a sneak peek of some of the necklaces before they hit the shop! Check out www.lanyapi.etsy.com for them soon!

A camera that opens to reveal a couple on the film!

















My fiance loves this one! A gondola that opens to reveal a skier!


An antique phone with a quill & a cottage that opens to reveal a cute home!

Visiting the Etsy Offices

I love traveling to New York to visit my girlfriends. I have quite a few Smithie friends who have made a home in the city of lights so when ever I visit I always have wonderful company. Christian and I decided to take a weekend trip to visit our friends, shop, and I also wanted to visit the Etsy offices. I was itching to see where all the admin I correspond with work and see them in their environment. So I coordinated a visit with Neha, a fellow Smithie, of Waverley Kitchens (an amazing Indian spice blend shop on etsy) and my BFF :-)

Located in the hip neighborhood of Dumbo in Brooklyn it truly is a picturesque place to work. Right under the Brooklyn Bridge and on the same block as super hip bars and boutiques I can imagine it's a great area to live.



When we got to the loft like offices we walked right in (no stuffy door man needed) and headed up to the Etsy suite where we met with Sarah our lovely tour guide. She showed us around their new office space which felt more like a playground, than a place of employment. Admin were doing everything from playing ping pong in the main social space, breaking out the wine (it was a Friday afternoon!), laying on couches in a quite room filled with incredible retro vintage furniture and chasing their dogs around the compound.



Visually Etsy is quicky and wacky, just like you'd expect. And pretty much everything is handmade. They are currently getting rid of all their bland Ikea furniture and buying handmade desks from Etsy sellers. Even their humongous picnic table in the dining area is handmade.

Splayed around all over the office are items sellers have sent. Chandeliers made of antlers, quilts from the Etsy Quilt team, and larger than life whimsical lamps made from mango tree roots.



I especially loved seeing the Etsy labs and the craft room, where every Monday night they offer a free Craft Night. Sewing machines, a silk screening machine, and other crafting tools fill the room. It's a crafter's dream!

It was also really intriguing learning about Etsy's up and coming projects. One we learned about is that they will be offering customer service via phone for the very first time. They are currently converting 3 closets into phone rooms and are having artist come in a completely transform them into fantasy rooms. My favorite one will feature hundreds of doors paining all over the walls.

We also learned that Etsy will have a new feature where they will recommend items for you based on your favorites. I am totally excited for this but they are still trying to work out all the kinks, so I'll have to wait.

Putting a face to all the admin who have featured me over my time at Etsy was such a delight. Seeing them working away on their Macs and their colorful desks was so fun. And literally these people are the friendliest folk you'll ever meet. They even gave us gift bags filled with Etsy goodies- how sweet!



I left wanted a job application and knowing that Etsy is such a wonderful community to be a part of. Next trip I'll have to extend my trip so I can go to Craft Night!