A sunset I can't get enough of...

Photo Credits: here and here

.Coachella.

I've been reading and catching all sorts of Coachella 2013 coverage through the inter webs.  I can't seem to get enough of the beautiful sunset photos.  The ferris wheel, the balloons, the palm trees.  I find them all SO beautiful.  It's making San Francisco living really difficult lately and I'm missing the warm weather...making our hopeful move to Southern California all the more enticing.  

I'm not a festival gal myself, but I love keeping up to date with the fun festival fashion shots and finding new music to listen to (which I happen to be REALLY bad at).  Wanderlust at Squaw Valley is a few months away - and I'm headed there to OMmmMM-out with a group of girlfriends, that's as festival as this girl gets. 

Insta-freeze

Happy Monday all! I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend.

Max and I had a wonderful (and what felt like "Spring") weekend in the mountains with our lovely Jude.  We took long walks, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and just, maximum chilled.  There is so much beauty around Tahoe; the mountains, the backdrop, the hollowing wind that sounds almost spooky - as it blows through the trees.  I left the phone at home and enjoyed my surroundings as much as humanly possible.  

Last week, I deleted Instagram from my phone.  I think we spend way too much time sharing and looking at what others are doing - and forgetting to appreciate what is around us.  As much as I love keeping up to date with what my friends are doing, I can still find them on Facebook, Vine, Flickr and the ten thousand other channels that exist out there.  For now I want to focus on being present, enjoying my friends, family and the moments I wouldn't get back, had I wasted them spent on our friend, Instagram.

Have a wonderful week!

Giving Back....

I've been designing, creating, photographing, wire wrapping, selling and promoting Rasbarri since 2008.  I remember starting this venture because I didn't want to spend $100+ on a tiny necklace I saw in a store, so I decided to make a few for myself.  Here I am, 5 years later.

I've spent hours and late evenings and weekends doing this, but for what?  I realized that this venture was missing something important; a reason to do it.  I've already learned how to manage inventory, do the accounting, run a small business - yet I'm still looking for a reason to continue, aside from it fulfilling my right-brained needs.

I've been looking for a children's charity to support - and was passionate about finding one I felt a connection with.  I came across Project Night Night and that was it.  I decided that 50% of Rasbarri proceeds will be now donated to this amazing charity each and every month going foward.  Project Night Night is a San Francisco based organization that provides "Night Night packages" to 25,000 homeless children per year.  Each tote contains a book, a security blanket and a stuffed animal to a child in need.  

You can check out their video below and donate to this amazing charity.  Happy Friday everyone!

Friday 'flections.

This week flew by entirely too fast.  Work has been tough, yet great.  The weather is warming up here in North Tahoe -- and I'm looking forward to NOT wearing three hundred coats and sweaters to feel warm.  Melt away snow, melt away!

Reflecting on my week well spent.
 

Driving back to my parents house, towards Mt. Rose

Waking up to the sunrise for an early conference call.

Taking Max for a walk and capturing some new duds.

The day isn't complete without a Max/Vanessa love-fie (thats the love version of selfie)

Have a great weekend!

New Bangles - Coming Soon!

Oh Monday, how I loathe you so.  This weekend went by SO quickly.  Which is odd, because I spent it by myself the ENTIRE time.  I did some shopping, cooked a ton, did some satisfactory DIY and created some new bangles for the Rasbarri collection.  I'd call it somewhat productive.  Minus all that television I watched along the way.  (Hello Academy, how could you not give Silver Lining Playbook best picture?)

I introduce to you, a few new and very delicate Rasbarri bangles. The manual labor of creating jewelry can become daunting at times.  Filling orders between quantities of 10-15 is time consuming...and sometimes I have to admit- takes the fun out of why I started Rasbarri in the first place.  I find it important to make time to create and feel inspired.  I find that if I don't take the time to have fun with this "hobby-turned small venture" of mine, I fall out of love.  And who wants to fall out of love, anyway?

I'll be uploading these bad boys to my shop early this week.  I'm also adding a "SHOP" section my website - to make it much easier to navigate to my Zaarly store.

Happy Monday!

Friday Fun

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm currently in North Lake Tahoe taking care of my pup, Maxwell.  I'm working remotely and drinking a up of Joe this beautiful Friday morning.  Who else is excited for the weekend?!  I'll be working hard to fill Rasbarri orders - and catching up on some fun business accounting.  (woo!...)  I'm also slightly obsessing over a DIY project I hope to accomplish this weekend.  I'll be sharing, soon ;)  AND, for those of you who don't follow my Instagram, I'm sharing a few pics of my life, lately. Have a great weekend!

1// re-growing leeks in my kitchen 2// valentines day duds 3// taking a walk downtown 4// on our way to N. Lake Tahoe

Rasbarri Giveaway!

Friends!  I have exciting news this week.  A dear friend of mine, Kristin over at Fancy Things is hosting a Rasbarri Giveaway.  One lucky reader will win my adorable tiny gold elephant necklace.

Head on over to Kristin's fashion blog, add her to your favorites and best of luck to the lucky winner!

Happy Thursday!