Introducing CARMEL.com

 

One of my great pleasures in being a blogger is getting to make friends with many other people whom I would probably never encounter without the internet. I have one blogging friend whom many of you might know as Bree Holloway of Tea + Bree. Bree and I have been around the block. We were blogging friends, I think, before either of us started writing blogs and have continued to pal around in the literary realm as well as beyond. Bree's real name is Carmel (emphasis on the "mel") and while she'll always be Bree to me, I am delighted to kick off 2015 with an announcement of the brand new, beautiful website that Carmel is launching. My lords and ladies, I present you with

CARMEL.com

CARMEL.com is a place where interests in writing, fashion, health and graphic design converge. It's a celebration of art and beauty and elegance. It's learning to be edifying and uplifting. It's life lived to it's fullest, bodies filled with the best, minds flowing with inspiration, mouths speaking words of wisdom and intelligence and truth. We're here to be the best versions of ourselves, and I welcome you to join. All the love. <3
And I got to sit down (virtually. We aren't that cool yet) with Carmel and tap her brain about the purpose. vision, and fun of this new place in the blog world.

1.) In four words, your vision for CARMEL.com:

Clean, Inspiring, Productive, Beautiful.

2.) You are already known to many bloggers as "Bree Holloway." What precipitated the switch?

I have for a long time struggled with the duo-identity that a pen-name entails. I’d thought on it for a while; I knew when I published my first book I wanted to do it under my real name; I had this budding idea under my hat: they all came together at once.

3.) Is CARMEL.com meant to be a platform from which you plan to explore new options and mediums or more of a rebranding of your current status?

I’m hesitant to say the platform is entirely new, since in many ways it is still just me, and the writing aspect of the blog will remain, as promised, unchanged. However, the other blog-aspects are new platforms, all tied so as to keep things neat. I’m always exploring more options. The categories listed are just the starting point; whatever art medium I find interest in I want to share with the world, and anyone who will listen. Basically, I’m widening the horizon of Tea & Bree to incorporate more - or all - of me.

4.) Number one things about CARMEL that excites you:

Fashion, hands down. I think it’s Kleon’s principle of phantom limb pain, and that one’s been shoved so long into the proverbial closet (har har) or the confines of Pinterest that I can’t wait to bring it to light on the blog. I don’t claim to have any great insight, but style & fashion are two things I’ve always heartily enjoyed, and to be able to share them with others without losing sight of my original blogging purpose - it’s pretty nice.

5.) How long as this project been in the works?

The original idea of it came to me around the beginning of last year (2014). For all of spring and summer I ignored/delayed thinking about it because I simply didn’t have time; it wasn’t until I cut my dance hours down drastically (from 15-a-week to 1-a-week) for the sake of repurposing my time and writing more, that I began to realise this was not a passing whim, but a real, steady interest that needed to be given some love. I spent the rest of the fall semester designing and fidgeting and inspiration-boarding (PIN ALL THE THINGS) in my spare time, and I can’t wait to show the product of my labor.

6.) In your biggest dreams, where do you see CARMEL.com taking you?

All over the world with a large packing case full of clothes, a trunk of books in a wide, white-windowed house, and lovely people all around me. Or to Europe. You choose. XD

7.) Are there any blogs or bloggers that have particularly inspired CARMEL.com?

Yes; many, actually. In principle, I admire the versatility of The Pioneer Woman site, though content-wise, we aren’t very similar. As for inspirational bloggers, there are too many to mention; I do particularly enjoy Wendy’ and Rachel’s where fashion is concerned, and of course there’s always The Crew (you know who you are).

8.) What is the biggest way Bree Holloway fans can support the transfer?

Spread the word. Comment. Give constructive criticism.

9.) What is the biggest way new followers can support CARMEL.com?

Join the community! One of my favorite aspects of blogging is meeting people and cultivating healthy friendships.

10.) Are there any upcoming posts for which you are particularly excited?

I don’t like to say too much; still I’m excited to share my Elegance “philosophy” (if you will) as well as a certain Spring Lookbook that’s been on my agenda for a while... 
I am so excited about CARMEL.com. From following Carmel on Instagram and Pinterest, I know that she has a great sense of style and since fashion has become an increasingly large part of my own blog, I can't wait to see what she does with it! Not to mention the whole recipes/pictures/DIY/writing side of things. Welcome to the internet event of the New Year: CARMEL.com.

L'chaim.

Hello! My name is Carmel, though you probably know me better as Bree, or Bree Holloway. That's alright, I'll still answer to it - I went by Bree on this little blog world for over 4 years, and in many ways it's become a part of who I am. But before Bree Holloway, or Blogger, or any of all this, it was just me. Carmel. I could tell you about how I'm different than most people you probably know, but I'm sure you've read that 100 times over. Instead, I'll tell you what I love.

My first pursuit is Christ; in Lewis's words, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." If I can lead one person to the saving grace of God, if this journey of self-discovery encourages others to join me, I've done something worthy, despite countless mistakes - and that's firstly what this place is about. As for the rest? I'm a prolific reader, writer of allegorical fantasy, ballet dancer, graphic designer, style-lover, bright-lipstick enthusiast and high-heel wearer. Chocolate is my love-language.

{Ensemble Cubes}: Fashion is back!

Jenny Freitag happens to be an excellent writing friend of mine. Author of The Shadow Things and blogger at The Penslayer, she also doubles as a fashionista at Adonis Ephemeral. I feel about Adonis Ephemeral as I feel when I'm in DC walking through the streets wearing a business attire or when I step into an upscale department store or attend a swanky political event: Posh. It's posh. It's a glamorous, simple, elegant site that I missed while Jenny was away in Scotland for a term, and she recently re-opened the blog with "Why is The Grocery Store Universally Acknowledged as a Place to Wear Pajamas?" which I consider a post full of ripping good sense. In the comments section, Jenny mentioned that she would not be adverse to seeing my "ensembles" (i.e. outfits that you like and that work) some time. I haven't done much fashion stuff on this blog recently but I was just thinking the other day how I ought to take my own challenge and get back into it. That being said, when I got dressed this morning, I thought I might as well a snap a few pictures of this casual outfit which is perfect for a day of publicity/marketing/writing in my Lair.

The Outfit:

(in an "ensemble cube")

First of all, I should like to apologize for the rubbishy photo-quality. Sarah is the photographer and Sarah is gone (with her new camera) which leaves me with a mirror, my tablet, and selfies. C'est la vie. Like I said, this outfit is a casual one and not terribly creative but it shows what one can do with a limited wardrobe:
1.) The jeans are medium-wash straight-leg jeans that are impossibly long. I mean, I am 5'6 and I once upon a time thought I couldn't wear them. Started rolling up the bottoms for a cozy-prep feel and there you are.
2.) Shoes are just brown ballerina flats. Bor-ing.
3.) This green top is of the baby-doll variety that can look impossibly maternal if you aren't really careful. What's fun about the addition of this brown small-ribbed corduroy jacket is that it gives the green shirt a bit of a waistline (always leave your bottom button un-done) while still allowing the flattering flow of the top to show up.
4.) You can't see it terribly well in the photo but I am wearing a triple-necklace with accents of gold, pink, and green. You know the ones: they always somehow manage to get in an intricate bungle by the end of an hour? I'm also wearing tiny genuine amethyst/gold/diamond drop-earrings which you can't see because I'm not that cool with a mirror and my tablet.
5.) I swear the makeup picture is not over-exposed by any black art of my own. It's the weird effect of these halfway-snowing skies and my bedroom light. Que sera, sera, people. If you happened to be able to see anything, you would realize that I am wearing eye shadow in purple hues to pick up the amethyst earrings and help the shirt bring out the green in my eyes. And then I have Revlon "Stormy Pink" matte lipstick on to pick up the pink in the necklace and the pink in my face. It's a nice lipstick.

That is the whole of my ensemble today, Jenny! Sarah comes home this evening so let us hope she will help me next time so you won't have to succumb to a crazy tablet photo-op next time. :) Cheers!

Culinary Cabaret!

Hey guys! Check out the brand-new news from the sister-blog, Two's Company that I share with Sarah! :)

Okay guys! I am thrilled and excited to introduce to you to the new blog series starting here on Two's Company! This series will be called "Culinary Cabaret" after the line in Disney's "Be Our Guest" which runs: "Beef ragout, cheese souffle, pies and puddings en flambe! We'll prepare and serve with flair a culinary cabaret!"Essentially, this series is a challenge you all will be able to link up with any week you'd like! It will run for 52 weeks (hopefully 52 adjacent weeks...we'll see how that works out) which is a year. The idea is that each week I'll post a theme, and you will have a chance to make one new recipe (or a variation of an old one) that fits the theme. Themes could be as simple as "Indian", "Greek", "Italian" or as complex as "Pixar Movies", "Downton Abbey", "Autumn", or, hey, something as crazy as "Oxford don". Sarah and I will chose one new recipe a week and blog about it--and you'll do the same!

And for those of you who are sitting there looking at this post thinking, "Aw, gee, I don't think I can be that creative," all I'm saying is that it is one recipe a week. Not a whole meal. It won't be expensive because, hey, people in India don't always have a ton of money and if you've got some watermelon and some milk and ice you can make a melon lassi that would fit that theme and not cost a dime. And besides--a challenge isn't supposed to be terribly easy. It's meant to be doable though, and I thoroughly believe that one new recipe a week is doable. I will be posting the theme for the week on Mondays and you will have until the following Monday to link up with your post and recipe. Not only will Culinary Cabaret improve your own creativity, but we can serve as inspirations for each other! And remember, linking up once does not mean that you have to do all 52 weeks! I would love to see you anytime throughout the course of the challenge. So please spread the word, and if any of you are wizards with blog buttons, feel free to make and share a button about the challenge. I want to get as many people involved as possible. :)

Looking forward to breaking out my skillz,
                                                          Rachel

All the Single Ladies! :)

I was so excited to see that Meghan of Just as I Am is hosting a Single Ladies Valentine's Day party! It is such a neat idea, and she's set it up so sweetly! I mean look at the button on the side-bar. Is there anything cuter than that? And what's even better is that though I'm new to Meghan's blog, I can already see that this girl is intent on living life to the fullest now. Not waiting for anything. Any man, any job, any day. She's living now. :)

Today's challenge was an ice-breaker game. :)

1. White chocolate or milk/dark chocolate? Definitely milk or dark chocolate. Since I'm on my Shrinkage plan, the only chocolate I indulge is is 60% cocoa chips or higher which are essentially just cocoa. :) And since white chocolate is just blah anyway, I never have liked it very much.

2. Tea or coffee? I am very fond of a good cuppa tea, but coffee is good in the morning. Definitely good in the morning. Or Hazelnut coffee as a comfort food. (I actually bought myself hazelnut coffee in GA on the campaign last year when I got really stressed. Mind you, this was July.)

3. Movie or book on a night-in? If it's a movie I haven't seen, I'd choose a movie. See, my family usually watches movies at night, and since the only light good enough to read by is in the living room and I hate reading smack-dab in the middle of noise, that's the deal. But if it was a night in by myself, I'd definitely go with a book! :)

4. Rom-com or tear-jerker? Once I realized that rom-com stood for romantic comedy, I'd go with a rom-com.I mean, Les Miserable is amazing and I truly love it, but as far as sad movies go, I'm more of a period drama fan myself and they don't count as tear-jerkers in the true sense of the word. I am also especially fond of old rom-coms, as well as a couple new ones like Letters to Juliet. (Review coming soon!)

5. Who is the first literary couple to come to mind? Mr. Darcy and Lizzy. Boring, I know, but it's because I'm teaching Pride and Prejudice in English Lit and it's foremost in my noggin.

6. First *movie* couple that comes to mind? Lady Mary Crawley and her cousin Matthew Crawley.  LOVE them so so much. Gah. (They are from Downton Abbey in case you hadn't heard.)

7. Roses or Chocolate? Well...roses. But not the hot-house kind. Roses as in growing up the side of a house and smelling divine in the sunlight.

8. Fancy dinner in a 4-star restaurant or a simple picnic? It entirely depends on several things: What time of year it was, (after all, if you suggested a picnic in a snowbank in January I would certainly choose the restaurant) why the restaurant hadn't made it to five stars (did it lose a star? Horrid! Over what? ;) who I was going with, (cozy friends? A picnic. Glamor and glitzy friends? 4-star restaurant.)

9. Dream wedding scenario: Outdoor family affair, or a formal church wedding & reception at a 5-star restaurant? Oh! Did the restaurant finally earn it's fifth star? Well! Actually, neither. I'd like to be married outdoors, but I would like a rather nice cushy guest list.

10. What was the last love song you listened to? "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. Besides one verse, this song is ADORABLE! Especially the all-male version by Anthem Lights. *sigh*

11. Favorite real-life/celebrity couples? William and Kate. :)

12. One piece of advice about love: "Baby why don't we just dance?" Josh Turner's song, "Why Don't We Just Dance". :) Because I'm a firm believer in having fun in your love even when you're old and married. And I do realize this is a very very very little piece of advice that doesn't exactly rock the world. But I know that everyone else will have the big ones so I thought I'd risk it. ;)

Wow! Looking SO MUCH forward to this blog party. Thank you, Meghan! You have made this week so special!

For everyone else, I'd like to direct your attention to the fact that we finally got the donation buttons up on the Romanian Blog and if you can help out in any small smidgenish (or large benevolent) way financially, I'll love you forever and like you for always and as long as I'm living my baby you'll be. ;)

Ciao bellas! 

"Ahoy!" dress giveaway--Bramblewood Fashion

I have been loving the blog: Bramblewood Fashion recently. This girl has a fabulous sense of modest, beautiful style and she has some pretty amazing giveaways! The best one yet is the give-away of the "Ahoy!" dress from Shabby Apple. Check it out on the Bramblewood Fashion blog and enter for a chance to win it! I can just see how perfect this dress would be for a summer party. :)

I had heard of Shabby Apple before but I'd never checked out the site--it is so cool! They have collection after collection of modest, vintage-inspired clothing...I haven't even made it to the accessories yet. :D Here are some of my favorites--what are yours? :)

B-17 Bombshell dress from the "Up and Away" collection...

Sacred Falls dress from the "South Pacific" collection

Spanish Steps dress from the "Roamin' Holiday" collection

The Bonhuer dress from the "Oh la la" collection.