Lanyapi Hand Knit Scarfs

I learned how to knit during college. Coming all the way from Houston to Smith College for school was a big adjustment. I didn't even own a scarf or hat when I showed up on campus. I realized very quickly I had to start knitting some before the weather turned completely arctic! I fell in love with creating something beautiful with my hands. And what a great stress reliever and study break. I'm excited to announce that I am now offering my hand knit wool scarfs in my shop. Makes me excited for winter!

New Zodiac Fortune Cookie Necklaces

I've been making fortune cookie necklaces for a while now. I love the symbolism of those adorable crisp desserts. What's better than cracking open one after a delicious meal and then sharing their messages of wisdom and vague prophecies with friends and family?

I've been pairing the cutest little fortune cookie charms with charms that say love and happiness in Chinese. They've sort of become a signature piece of Lanyapi Designs. Recently someone suggested I pair them with Zodiac signs. What a great idea to give a personalized gift or to show off your personality! After some serious searching I found the cutest vintage charms perfect for the job. Check out my latest series.

10 Ways to Pump up your Fall Wardrobe without Spending a Dime!

I'm so excited to break out my fall wardrobe but just like all girls sometimes I look in my closet and think I have nothing to wear. Instead of going out to the mall and dropping some cash on a new outfit create some new looks with what you have at home. Here are a few ideas.

1) Add tights and a cardigan to a summer dress. I bought lots of cute vintage dresses on my travels this summer and only got to wear them once or twice before the weather got chilly. Add some colorful tights, boots, and a little sweater and you're good to go. Add a jean jacket or a shrunken leather jacket for some extra warmth.



2) Layer it up. Have a favorite tank but don't know how to incorporate the sleeveless-ness in to you fall wardrobe? Put it over a long sleeve shirt or thin turtle neck and your good to go!

3) Have a clothing swap with your girl friends. Have a few gal pals over to your house for a little girl time. Have each of them bring clothing, purses, and jewelry they don't use and then have a little party where you go "shopping" for new threads.



4) Learn a new hairdo. Search the internet for easy how to videos on new ways to play up your hair. Whether it's a cool side braid or chic new bun doing your hair in a different style give you a whole new look no matter what you're wearing.



5) Raid your boyfriend's/husband's/brother's/dad's/best guy friend's closet. I believe that all women should incorporate men's pieces into their wardrobe (but maaaybe that's just because I grew up with 4 brothers and no sisters). It's such a chic look. Roll up the sleeves of a crisp button down shirt and tuck it into a pencil skirt, wear a cool tie as a belt or a head band, or just layer an oversized blazer over skinny jeans.

6) Change up your makeup colors. Put away your bronzer and opt to play up your eyes instead with that eye liner and eye shadow you forgot about in the bottom on your makeup bag. A smoky eye looks good on almost everyone.




7) Pair lots and lots of jewelry together. Normally wear one bracelet? Why not pair 5 together. Or wear a short necklace and pair it with a longer statement piece. Sometimes jewelry gets lost in all the layers of clothing so wear a little bit more to stand out.



8) Keep on wearing those shorts. Think just because summer is over you can't wear your favorite shorts anymore? Jean shorts, high waisted shorts, and tailored shorts all look great over a pair of tights. Go for a casual look by pairing it with booties or glam it up at night with heels.



9) Add some embellishment. Get out your needle and thread and find your stash of buttons and other craft baubles. Change all the buttons on a sweater and it goes from drap to fab. Add a feather, ribbon, or crystals to your favorite pair of flats and voila you automatically look more chic!



10) Make your own scarf/necklace from old t-shirts. Instead of throwing out those old concert tees making something new. Here is a cool and easy version.

Hope you all have fun creating new outfits without spending a dime!

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.