winter in mt. charleston

yesterday will and i spent the day in mt. charleston, which is about 35 miles north of las vegas. it's so crazy that we can drive 40 minutes from our apartment to a winter wonderland! i was so excited to finally see snow again. i hadn't seen snow since living in new york, two winters ago! when we first arrived, it kind of felt like we were in vermont. the little town in mt. charleston is so cute. even the street names were adorable, "kris kringle" and "seven dwarfs." we stopped at the mt. charleston lodge for a glass of whiskey to warm up. the weather there was definitely a lot cooler than we are used to. the stay in mt. charleston was short, but just enough to get a beautiful glimpse of the winters i've been missing.  

A dreamer's logo

My company logo is something I've been wanting for a very long time but I just never knew what it was I wanted it to look or feel like. When I was on in Zion last month, I saw one of the most beautiful crescent moons. As a dreamer, I have always felt connected to the moon, but I think because of all the universal transformations happening right now I have never felt more connected. A crescent moon symbolizes new beginnings and the making of dreams into reality. The year has been a year full of new beginnings and chasing dreams. After seeing that moon on my trip, I contacted my friend Katie (remember my post about her here) who was able to design exactly what I wanted for my logo. She actually came up with so many designs, it made it hard to chose just one but I am so happy with our final logo. In celebration of 12/12/12 (the last triple date digit in our lifetime!),  I spontaneously decided to get my first wrist tattoo of the crescent moon. See photos below. Here's to chasing the dream.. xo






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..