Thursday, March 30, 2017

Dover Kingston // My Baby Brother's Youtube Channel






Hello friends,

I know I talk about him all the time. So, let's put a face to the name. This is my baby brother, David. He recently started a Youtube Channel that I highly suggest checking out. And, not just because I'm bias and he's my brother or the fact that I pop up in videos every now and then. But, he's a really funny guy and he's got some shit to say. He's brand new to this, so be patient with his first few videos...they're getting better I swear! I really like his second video, the one I've chosen to share with you today, despite the horrible fan noise in the background. I've already yelled at him extensively about it lol!! So, do yourself a favor and take a moment to let my brother introduce himself and don't forget to subscribe to his channel!!!

xo. holly erinn





Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Yummy Pinterest Recipes


Hello friends, 

It's Suzy Homemaker up in this b-otch! LOL! Just kidding, folks! But in all seriousness, I've brought together a couple of really yummy looking recipes that I found on Pinterest. Lately, I've been fighting the urge to buy every cook book I see, so I turn to my old buddy Pinterest. I'm on that fence between winter and spring right now and it's showing in the foods I've been choosing. It's not quite warm enough, so I'm reaching for those comforting breads and soups still while dreaming about fresh veggies and smoothies! 

All of these recipes look very easy and oh-so-very yummy! I've got a ton more on my Food & Yummies board that ya'll should check out if you want some more inspo...there's everything from deserts to snacks to breakfast to some of the best sandwiches I've ever seen! *insert heart eyed emoji here* 

Let me know if you try any of these recipes. I think the next ones I'm going to try are the rustic farmers bread and the french silk pie! 

xo. holly erinn 













Sunday, March 26, 2017

Art Appreciation no. 6 // Psychedelics











Hello friends,

Welcome back to class!! There's been some major things shaking up my world lately...in a really good way! I don't want to talk much about it yet, but there's something big on the way! And, it has something with today's post, in a way....kinda. Let's talk about art! 

Ya'll know my biggest inspiration is just color itself, and what art has more color in it than pretty much any other? Psychedelic art! It's a mix between fantasy, cartoons, and the color wheel's vomit. And I'm so into it. I've gathered a small collection of psychedelic art that I've found recently. You'll see a few pieces in the collection that don't have much color in them, and that's because their line work stands well enough on its own. 

I love art that is weird. There's something to be said about art that isn't afraid to make you say, 'huh?". I love a composition that doesn't make any damn sense and makes me stand there for an extra moment or so and ponder what exactly I'm seeing. That really goes for any art though, even museum pieces that I don't quite understand are the ones I'm drawn to. Which honestly is pretty funny, because my own personal art is very logical in a way and most of it you can make sense of. But what draws me in are the pieces that are visually confusing, the ones that mess you up for a minute. 

I hope you just take a moment to look at each piece, examine its small details and really dive into the narrative. Let me know which one speaks to you down in the comments!! 

xo. holly erinn 












Friday, March 24, 2017

friday favorites // no. 21











Hello friends!! 

PINK PINK PINK!!!!!!!! I've been obsessing over colors lately. I can hear David in the background giggling, "I just really love colors"! Hahah! One of these days I'll let you in on the joke. But in all seriousness, I've been obsessing over colors lately because I've been painting so very much. Don't get me wrong, I am no where near complaining, quite the opposite. Your girl is living the dream! In my paint covered adventures, I've been dreaming of rainbows and scheming up fantastical landscapes in my head. The more I work in my office and sit at my easel, the more I feel like me. I remember the exact moment back in high school that I knew that painting was my thing, and how perfectly heavenly it felt. Pink is really inspiring me lately. There's something about that color that is just pure happiness to me. It opens something up in me, brightens my soul when I see the color pink. So I wanted to dedicate this week's friday favorites to that magical color! Also, there's an awesome patchwork dress thrown in there, because I've been working on my own patchwork dress for about a year now and I'm also done! I can't wait to share it with you guys soon! Only a few more finishing touches and it'll be down. I'm hoping to finish it before my next show, because I would just love to wear it. And, don't forget to check out all the links and goodies down below. I love adding some extras down there, so don't skip it! 

xo. hollyerinn








--rad youtube vids--






What's in the Shop lately?






Hello friends, 

Thanks for stopping by again! I'm here today with a little shameless self promotion because I run and Etsy Shop and I want you guys to buy some shit! haha! But, no seriously....guys I am very proud of my shop and I love to share what I make with you in hopes of something resonating with you and bringing a little color and happiness to your life! *insert winded, tired emoji* Since I started rebranding my shop, blog, instagram.....and basically every other social media I have....I have really taken pride in my work and started really letting go of what I thought people wanted to see and started making the things that I love. I feel like that's more real. Recently, the shop is filled with art! There's everything from stickers to paintings! I've got a few hand-stitched felt dolls, and a couple really rad pieces of knotted hemp jewelry. I would be so very honored if you checked out the shop and it would just make my heart sing if you bought something. Thank you in advance for taking a look, it means the world to me!! 

The next shop update will be happening in the next week or so. Be on the look out for even more new radical hippie shit soon! 

xo. holly erinn 




Monday, March 20, 2017

On the Jukebox // Mod Sun

Hello friends!! 

It's been a hot minute since I had any music to talk about. I'm one of those people that get stuck on artists and of late, I've been on a killer Grateful Dead kick. That happens every few years. But, I recently got into this dude, Mod Sun thru one of the super adorable Youtubers I watch, Meghan Hughes. Rap has never really been my thing, I generally just don't connect to it. But man, this dude got me connected. The first song I chose to share with you guys today is my jam when I'm feeling down. There's something about this dude's smile that just lifts you up, he radiates positivity and I'm so into that....like a damn magnet. He's got this amazing blend of that bouncy gansta rap of the early 90's and that hippy magic that I'm drawn to. He's just fun. He's coming to Pittsburgh in April and I think Bry and I may go see him. You should too! So grab your tie dye and turn that shit up, let's get happy! 

xo. hollyerinn 


Friday, March 17, 2017

Making Your Own Path // A Collection of Inspiring Ladies


Hello friends, 

As I sit down to write this, I can hear the echo of that 90's battle cry....GIRL POWER! And, my ovaries shiver a little. The memory of me dancing around my childhood bedroom screaming Spice Girls lyrics is still fresh in my mind. There's a  power that the female spirit embodies and it has always been so intriguing to me. Ever since I was small, I looked to the female elders in my life for wisdom and guidance. Being a girl was something special in our family. My dad and all his brothers had daughters, so there was a special bond between all of us when we were growing up. There's a few different generations, but there was always something special about being a Karnes girl. We're a proud bunch. And most of us still stay in touch. 

But as we've started aging, we started to lose some of our wise females. Our grandmother died when we were all very young (that was really hard on all of us, she was magical--I could write a whole post about her), and I lost my mother some years ago too. So, who do I look to now? Who is there to guide me into this new phase of my life. Without my mother, truthfully, I've been a little lost. So I started looking to other women that I naturally gravitated towards. I do have certain friends I look to now also, that have been so instrumental in my growth. And, I started reading a lot more, and watching more documentary films and videos. I wanted to learn about how others, my age and older...and younger at times, became these women that are so powerful and have made a path for themselves in the world. That is what inspires me to drive forward with what I do.

Below I have gathered together a collection of the women that most recently have been motivating me to get my shit together and figure out exactly what I want to do with my life. It is a collection of artists, film makers, internet personalities and musicians. These women have become the women I go to when I need that wise feminine guidance. I hope you take the time to check out each one and give them a moment to show you something you may not have seen or heard before.  

stylelikeu
Firstly, stylelikeu because they have been my morning ritual for the past few weeks. They are a mother, daughter duo that makes these absolutely entrancing video series that capture the humanity of a single person in a ten minute video as they shyly slip off their clothes. Yea, people strip down to their undies in this one, but the more you watch these - the less you start paying attention to them dropping their pants and more closely to what is it they're saying. There are dozens of videos on there channel from people of all kinds of different walks of life and to say they've opened my eyes is quite an understatement. 

grav3yardgirl
Bunny, also known as grav3yardgirl on Youtube has been one of my top favorite youtubers since I started really getting into it a few years ago. She's so bright and weird and just the type of girl I would want to be friends with. But, I think my favorite thing about Bunny is that she is such a real girl. She frequently talks about her struggles and triumphs with anxiety and shows the world that even awesome internet personalities are just real people at the end of the day. On top of that, Bunny makes some really awesome content that is just fun and lighthearted....like squishy hauls. 

a beautiful mess
Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess has been my longest running inspiration on this list. I've been following Elsie's blog has been my favorite since back in 2009ish, if not before. I remember following her way back then when she wasn't even married (her amazing husband, Jeremy pictured above). Elsie taught me that even weird artists can patch together an amazing DIY'd life and she made it all look so easy. She started off with a simple gallery shop that she turned into a huuuuge vintage shop that turned into one of the largest and most well known blogs and online businesses out there. This woman is a force to be reckoned with. 

ellie paisley
Ellie is one of my newest inspirations, I found her on instagram and originally started following her because her amazing pink dreads. But, the more I started looking into her and reading on her website I found that she's actually a super rad lady. She started off in Philly doing live painting at little festivals and working with phillyNORML. She was a huge part of me wanting to get into live painting and doing festivals. Ellie is living out a life that I hope to make for myself, being able to sustain a greatly creative life, traveling and sharing her art with the world. She currently lives out in beautiful Colorado and frequently posts photos of her lovely home. 

audra auclair
Audra is another artist I recently found on instagram and has been a huge influence on my of late. Her art is so mystical and really transports you into another world. And much like Bunny, she is such a real person. She posted something the other day that really resonated with me. She spoke about her insecurities as an artist with a following and as a professional artist/illustrator and it really gave me (in a weird side-ways way) a boost of confidence. It was so comforting to see that established artists still have confidence issues when it comes to their art, while still being successful and thriving. She since has taken down that post, sadly enough. Though shhe has several videos that I would highly recommend checking out.  

**sigh** my girl....anyone that knows me well enough, knows I have always been a little monster, and despite her Art Pop phase, Lady Gaga holds one hell of a spot in my heart. David and I are actually seeing her when she comes to Pittsburgh this November, I couldn't be more excited. The thing that really makes me love her is not her music but how intelligent she is and how passionate she is about the inspiration and education of her fans. She is a warrior for creativity, confidence and human rights. Every interview I have watched of her has usually brought me to tears. She spoke at Yale a few years ago and you should certainly listen to what she has to say

grace neutral
Grace Neutral, alien princess, is another one of my recent finds. She has worked a lot with i-D on youtube filming short documentaries where she explores the idea of beauty from around the world. She is so compassionate for the women she meets. There's something about Grace, beyond her mesmerizing body modifications and tattoos, that draws you in. Her soft voice allows the women and men she interviews to shine and she brings out a softness in everyone she speaks to. My favorite documentary she's done is when she traveled to Brazil to speak to feminists on the Brazilian beauty revolution. 

tribe de mama
Tribe de Mama is an instagram I've been following forever but never really dived deep into before. Pretty recently, I've been exploring their website and seeing what all they do. This fierce tribe of sisters celebrates all that women are about. They have several chapters in many different cities (sadly not Pittsburgh thou) and if there isn't one in your city-they have an opportunity for you to make one yourself. They're definitely worth a look if the magic between sisters is something that intrigues you. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope you take some time to check out each of these amazing women and that you find someone that resonates with you. And on a final note, I hope you find that bit of female magic in yourself too. We all have it inside us, and it only takes a little bit of self reflection to find her. 

Who has been inspiring you? 

xo. holly erinn 

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Rediscovering My Purpose



Hello friends, 

I can't believe I haven't written anything since November of last year. But, with everything that's been going on, I shouldn't be surprised. If you keep up with my Youtube, you've seen why. Though if not, last month...I quit my job. I know I've written before about how difficult that job was and it was starting to really wear on me in a negative way. I starting seeing myself change in a negative, self destructive way and I just had to get out of there. My peace of mind is above everything in my life. Since leaving, not only have I noticed a change in myself but so have several people that are really close to me. Honestly, even my stress acne has cleared up...hahha! 


Lately, I've been focusing soooooooo soooooooooooooooooo (I can't say this enough) soooooo hard on my art. That's legit all I've been thinking about and I'm probably isolating just a little because of it. We've gotten out a little though, that's something I've been making a conscieous effort to see more people and get out every once in a while. I've never really put forth much effort to be a working artist, and getting shows, and pushing my art out into the community. Truthfully, I really don't know why that is. It's what I went to school for after all, and it's what I've dedicated my life to. Why haven't I done anything with it? I suppose it's always been because I've been nervous to put it out there and be rejected, but who isn't worried about that.


I think now that I'm a little older, and I've put some time into the 'real world'...it's become clear that I don't fit into that mold, and it is physically difficult for me to hold on to a career like that. I do not fit well into polite society and it's taken me quite a while to recognize the fact that it is okay. Most of us grow up with the idea of that you have to get a normal job, go to a normal college and get that white picket fence and all that. It wasn't until just recently, that I realized that there are so many different ways to live and have a career. 


The internet is such an amazing thing, really. And, I know in this era that is a completely ridiculous thing to say because of course it is, we all already know that. But, over the past couple years it has really opened up my eyes to what life can really be. There are just so many people out there that have made their own path and made a living out of being creative....and that is so inspiring. Maybe, I'll write a post about who's really been an inspiration to me over the past few years. I'd love to share the people that have brought joy to my life with you amazing people. 


So, what's the point of all of this? Nothing, really. I just wanted to come on here again and talk with you all. I've really missed this little corner of the web that I can just come to and release all these insane thoughts of mine. I've come to realize, after reading some of my old posts, that this theme of 're-figuring out myself' has become a major part of who I am. There were so many years that I just didn't know who I was after mom died. I threw myself into several situations that washed away my personality, and all of my soul. It's become such a driving force in my life to find myself again because I haven't felt like myself up until very recently. How strange it is to not feel like yourself. I often was so completely confused when I would hear of mothers or anyone that had gone through trauma say they feel like they weren't themselves, that they had forgotten how to be themselves without what ever it was that was happening. Mothers lose themselves in the act of taking care of their families and in a way that's how I lost myself too. But, before I go down that dark path, let's redirect....


Honestly, all I want to do is create and make beautiful things that make people smile. That is my purpose. It's hard to stay on the path. It's hard to remember who I was before all the darkness. And, it's hard to not be who I know I am supposed to be. I've been doing a lot of reading, and listening to lectures on egoBuddhism has been very intriguing to me recently. I am not religious, but I am always interested in the wisdom that religion gives us. 


That is something that's been helping me stay focused, calm and remember what is it that I'm working towards. This is a very interesting moment in my life, and I feel that I am either on the edge of something greater or the verge of knowing my limits. So, this should be fun. 

Has there been any major changes in your life recently? Tell me about it down in the comments! 

xo. holly erinn 

ps. if you would like to purchase some of the art seen in today's post, please check out my shop