happy one year #shopetsynikdreamer!

Exactly one year ago i opened my etsy shop. i opened my shop on 11/11/11 not even meaning to, but it just happened that way. i have always been a believer in signs and the synchronicity of things. my family and friends have been calling me a dreamer since i was a little girl, and to this day i have always stayed true to my heart and dreams. i've always had a connection and make wishes on the numbers 11:11. So ironically it all happened this way..

I feel that my line has come a long way since i opened up my shop last year and i couldn't be more thankful to have you all supporting me every step of the way. i want to say special thanks to my family and friends, my neighbors, and coworkers that have purchased from me, the pilates & yoga studio, the ganesha center, all three harley davidson dealerships in nevada, first friday las vegas, and to all my customers worldwide. you have all kept my dreams, inspirations, and passions alive. if you were to tell me a year ago that i'd have some of my bracelets in harley davidson stores, i would say, "in my dreams!" this just goes to show that if you dream it, work hard, and believe in it... it will come. don't ever stop chasing the dream. 

to celebrate my etsy shop's birthdate, i've added a new collection to my shop, my first holiday/winter collection that has some of my favorite pieces and stones in it that i've made to date. this collection was inspired and made for all the fellow dreamers, lovers, believers, and rebels out there. i hope every piece shares a new story for dreams, love, faith, and joy for whosever hands they end up in. i have also taken off all shipping costs for the week to celebrate! FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the U.S. until Nov. 18th. Coupon Code: ElevenEleven

my shop's link: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikdreamer

thank you,

thank you!

french onion soup

i've been craving a bowl of french onion soup since going to Mon Ami Gabi a month ago (remember my bowl of french onion in my 7 simple things post here). instead of going out and getting some, i decided to try and make my own. i searched everywhere for Mon Ami Gabi's recipe on the internet but had no luck.. i did come across this french onion soup recipe from Balthazar's restaurant in NYC. after a quick trip to market, i started the prepping at 7pm and by 9:45pm the soup was ready to serve. the recipe is made to serve 6 bowls.. which was exactly what mine came to. I will say it fulfilled the craving! although i don't think you can go wrong with a soup topped with toasted bread and melted cheese:)  i'd definitely use this recipe again.

all you need: 

* 1/4 cup olive oil

*4 medium yellow onion, peeled, halved through the stem end, and sliced 1/4 inch thick

*1 tablespoon unsalted butter

*1 garlic clove, peeled, and thinly sliced

*4 sprigs of thyme (unfortunately i forget this ingredient at the store)

*1 tablespoon salt

*1/4 freshly ground white pepper

*3/4 cup dry white wine

*2 quarts of chicken stock

*6 slices of country bread, toasted

*2 cups of gruyere cheese, coarsely grated

click below for the full recipe: 

Balthazar's French Onion Soup

first friday november

this past friday night i participated in my sixth first friday in las vegas as an artist. i am so thankful for all of the support and customers who come back for more. you guys are the best and help keep my passion and dreams alive. also big thanks to my sales team, my sister brittany, boyfriend will, and friend rei who have all been here with me at the last six shows.. i couldn't do it without them. they always make me smile and the show fun! Here's to holiday shopping! #shopsmall

7 simple things

happy july! so far i am absolutely loving summer. i was nervous about my first summer in a desert.. but it's really not as bad as i thought. not having humidity is a major plus! i haven't even needed any products for my hair.. no summer frizz here. this past week was the first time it has rained in vegas in months. it felt so nice to wake up and see clouds in the sky and walk outside to the smell of rain. the rainy days in vegas make me feel so calm and relaxed, it's weird.. like i am home. seeing the sun everyday is something i feel like gets taken for granted here.. and to me it's still so strange waking up everyday and seeing the sun. it's like everyday is vacation here and it's the gloomy days that are so rare now, i appreciate so much. never thought i'd say this but rain and gloom, those days make me happy! there's nothing better than a rainy movie day in bed. so opposite from the weather in upstate new york! i still cannot believe that we're already half way through july. summer is just flying.. it's been awhile since i've posted my 7 simple things, but here's to all those little moments in my week that simply make me smile.

{work all day, work all night}

{roses just because}

{dinner dates}

{sage for the apartment}

{party rock mondays with sister and friends}

{finding a vintage mickey watch}

{rainy days in Vegas}


see more 7 simple things posts here

diy stud party

my sister and friend rei had a stud party the other day at our apartment. my sister bought studs a few weeks ago, and since then she has been studding just about everything. my favorite so far are the masimo target black heels now turned in to jeffrey campbell influenced studded pumps (photo below). the other day they made a day of it, starting out at the thrift shop in search of levi's "mom jeans" to cut for shorts and rei found this great denim shirt that he cut into a summer vest. here's a lil photo diary of our stud party..  














happy spring

happy spring! so excited to be in shorts again. this past week i got a new tattoo with my sister and grandmother for her 90th birthday! it was my gram's idea to get roses with 7/11 underneath in remembrance of my grandfather who passed away 11 years ago on seven eleven. my grandma made me promise that when i turn 90, i will do something just as exciting! she's the coolest grandma. i love her so much.. her stay in vegas went by way too fast, as time always does.

in celebration of spring, i added many new colors to my bracelet collection. below is a preview of my favorites that will be available on my

etsy

page later this week.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikdreamer

photos taken in boulder city, nv

diy skull cutout tights

my sister is obsessed with skulls and recently bought a cutout skull tee from urban outfitters, which led her to this do it yourself project at home. all she used was a pair of tights and scissors and began cutting out a skull face in the top part of her tights. she only cut out a small hole for the face, and then ripped through the rest. i told her she's going to have to start making all sorts of cutout designs for me this spring! love this look. 

visit her tumblr at http://wildchild-at-heart.tumblr.com/

also, if you like skulls check out the skull bracelets i made, now available on my etsy shop.