Does anyone remember these view finders from when you were a kid? I actually used to have a red one just like this when I was little and my favorite reel was a Little Mermaid one haha. But this view finder is unique because you can customize your reel with your own photos. You simply go on the Retro Viewer website, upload the photos you'd like (you pick 7 for each reel), select what color view finder you'd like, and place your order. I picked photos from my trip to Memphis earlier this year. I think this would make such a unique gift for the holidays!

You can check out their website here to learn more:
https://www.image3d.com/retroviewer/customer/account/login/ 

Plus, I'm giving one away to one of you! Give it as a gift, or keep it for yourself! Check out my Instagram for more details. 

P.S. if you'd like to shop my top, you can find it here:
https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/gina-polka-dot-cut-out-retro-top-in-black-white 

Top: c/o Dolly & Dotty
Skirt: Smak Parlour; Shoes: Eastland Shoes; Watch: MVMT; Locket: Vintage
Location: Brooklyn Flea (Brooklyn, New York)

When it comes to holiday shopping, I love to shop small businesses. Whether that's online or in person, small businesses always have more unique and meaningful gift options. Plus, you're supporting an actual person's dream, not a big corporation. I've rounded up a few of my favorite things from small businesses and independent designers that are all currently ON SALE, if you're looking for some gift ideas or just want to #treatyoself. 

1. Bow Embroidered Beret from Beau XOXO
Beau XOXO makes the CUTEST embroidered berets. Use the code CYBERWEEKEND for 20% off plus get a free gift with your purchase until 11/27. 
https://www.beauxoxo.com/collections/berets/products/bow-embroidered-beret-bow-french-beret-in-4-colours 

2. Saddle Shoes Pin from The Silver Spider Print Shop
The Silver Spider Print Shop sells pins, t-shirts, and more. I have a few pins from the shop, but this is one of my favorite and most frequently worn pins in my entire collection. They're currently running 25% off ​their shop until Monday.  
https://www.etsy.com/listing/271898940/saddle-shoes-lapel-pin-125-hard-enamel?ga_search_query=saddle%2Bshoes&ref=shop_items_search_1&pro=1

3. Breakfast at Tiffany's Sleep Mask from Utopiat 
Utopiat makes the best Audrey Hepburn costumes, but this sleep mask makes the perfect little gift. Use my code nicole13 for 13% off your order. 
https://utopiat.com/collections/audrey-costume-collection/products/breakfast-at-tiffany-s-holly-sleep-mask

4. Girls Support Girls T-Shirt from Daisy Natives 
The perfect tee for the feminist, girl boss in your life. This style is sold out, but Daisy Natives has lots of other versions of their famous Girls Support Girls tees to choose from, plus tons of other cute graphic tees. Their entire website is 30% off with code MERRYANDBRIGHT. Sale ends Monday. 
https://www.daisynatives.com 

5.Audrey Phone Case from Casetify 
My friend Gabriella is an amazing illustrator and I love this Audrey Hepburn phone case I bought from her Casetify shop. Use code BF30 for 20% off this case. 
https://www.casetify.com/product/kAwrO_audrey/iphone-xs-max/impact-case-with-black-camera-ring?color=gold#/7012003 

6. Art Deco Bow Tie Pin from Color Theory Shop
Color Theory Shop has the cutest pins, patches and more. I have a few pins from the shop, but this bow one is my favorite (because you all know how much I love bows). I love adding it to my collars, berets, etc. Use code MOREPIE for 15% off. And if you buy 3 pins or patches you get one free!
https://colortheoryshop.com/collections/pins/products/art-deco-bow-tie-pin-blue 

7. Guilt Trippin' Tee from Poetic Betty
I love this retro inspired tee from Poetic Betty. The graphic gives me some serious Don and Betty Draper vibes. This tee is only £20 but use code BLACKFRIDAY20 for an extra 20% off until Monday. 
https://www.poeticbetty.com/product/guilt-trippin-w 

9. Coke Tee from Sober Is Sexy
I can't resist a cheeky graphic tee. I always love giving them as gifts, and there's nothing I love more than coming across one that feels like it was meant for one of my family members or friends. Sober Is Sexy is currently offering buy one get one free on some of their tees if you use the code CLEAN at check out. 
https://soberisexy.com/collections/all/products/i-blew-all-my-money-on-coke-1

10. The Smiths Pin Set from Thread Famous 
This song will forever remind me of 500 Days of Summer, anyone else? Thread Famous sells tons of fun pins, necklaces and clothing items. These pins are the perfect gift because you can give one away (or keep them both for yourself!). Use code KISSMAS for 15% off until the end of Saturday (11/24). 
https://www.threadfamous.co.uk/product/the-smiths-inspired-heart-pin-set

11. Tartan Dress from Tallulah's Threads
I got this dress from Tallulah's Threads last year and it's seriously the perfect piece for the holidays. The black watch tartan is so festive, but the fabric and cut of the dress are super comfortable. Their whole site is on sale for 40% off, no code needed, so this dress is currently only £31.
https://www.tallulahsthreads.com/shop/green-tartan-dress-2/ 

12. Mood Boosting Sunglasses from Rainbow OPTX
These mood boosting sunglasses from Rainbow OPTX would make a super fun gift. Each color lens has a different energy and they come in a bunch of cool frames. They are offering 50% off of their entire site with code HOLIDAY50.
https://rainbowoptx.com 

It was pretty ironic that I was taking photos in front of a boxing gym last week, because by the end of this shoot, I actually felt like punching someone...

As most of you know by now, I usually shoot my photos with just myself and a tripod. Last Thursday, I woke up early to shoot this t-shirt from One Round Jack before work. I headed to Overthrow, a popular, retro inspired boxing gym here in NYC, which isn't far from my office. I set my purse down on a door step, off to the side, and got set up and started shooting. While I was shooting, a guy tried to go in through the door where my purse was, but couldn't because it was in the way. I moved it so he could go in, then put it back and continued taking photos. 

A few minutes later, he tried to come back out the door again, but couldn't because my purse was in the way again. He kept jamming the door against my purse, so I ran over to move it again. My foot accidentally hit the tripod, knocking it over. I tried to grab it, but at the same time a woman was walking by and got in my way so I couldn't catch it fast enough. The camera and tripod hit the ground, and since the lens was extended, it jammed, making the camera unusable. 

The guy ended up going around and exiting from a door on the other side. When I came out I told him he caused me to break my camera. All he gave me was a lackluster "sorry" and walked away, which made me feel even worse about the situation. I was so tempted to throw the camera on the ground and smash it, since I would need an entirely new camera anyway. I was having a bad week already, and this was just the icing on the cake. I pretty much had a mental breakdown on the street and called my mom upset. 

I was miserable for the rest of the morning. Even though I knew it was an accident, I beat myself up with ways I could have prevented this from happening. I should have gotten a sturdier tripod, I should have just stopped and been satisfied with the photos I had already gotten, I shouldn't have put my purse in that spot. I dug myself into a hole of negative thoughts, not just about the situation with my camera, but about myself. 

Then when I was out getting lunch later that day, I saw something that put things into perspective for me. What I saw made me remember that it was just a camera and I shouldn't get so upset about material objects. The purpose of this post is not for sympathy or to complain, but just to give you some back story behind these photos. I saw something recently on Instagram that said, people only post about their successes on social media, not their failures, which is so true. I think it's important to publicly share our struggles from time to time to remind one another that we're only human.  

If you'd like to shop my t-shirt, you can find it here:
https://www.oneroundjack.com/orj-for-women/jack-rabbits-boxing-gym
​
T-Shirt: c/o One Round Jack
Cardigan: Vintage; Skirt: May 68; Tights H&M; Shoes: Eastland Shoe; Bow: Claires
Location: Overthrow Boxing Club (NoHo, Manhattan)