CREATIVE RESUMES

I'm currently in the process of applying to summer internships and thought I'd share a recent discovery with all of my fellow soon-to-be college graduates. We learn in school that resumes must be clean, concise, and professional. i.e. boring, boring, and more boring.

The problem with business resumes is that they're often dull and unoriginal. I've taken countless classes on perfecting resumes and have found that there really is no "correct" way to boast your credentials. Don't get me wrong, I want a professional resume...but I also want that resume to be visually appealing, reflect my personality if at all possible, and basically go above and beyond the typical 1-2 page word document that 400 other people are going to submit.

With a little online exploring, I actually found a way to do this. I started by downloading a free trial of Adobe InDesign and went to work...      
(You can download it HERE)

*Note: My personal information has been altered.

BEFORE:

Standard Word document

Above is a copy of my pre-design resume. It was created on Microsoft Word and the bolded name at the top is about as original as it gets. Note that all of these resumes contain the exact same information, they just have different layouts.


AFTER:

Basic Resume

This was my first design for the straight-laced internships that demand a more professional layout. It's clean, concise, and original in layout. It's also easier to read and visually appealing.

Creative Resume 1

For this resume, I simply added a black and white image to the side to balance the weight of the SN corner logo. I use this resume for the more creative/modern jobs in advertising or companies that promote innovation and image.

Creative Resume 2

This resume was just for fun but I really like the way it turned out. I decided to apply to a couple artistic DIY/design and advertising internships. 

Just a few helpful tips for applying to internships:

1. Write a cover letter....even if it's not required. Include any important information that can't be fully explained in your resume. It's also a chance to demonstrate your writing skills.

2. Apply to multiple positions. There may be one or two internships that you want more than the others, but internships are competitive and you need something to fall back on in case your first choices don't work out.

3. Don't go overboard. It's okay to put a creative design or image on a resume, but keep it as simple as possible. Unless you're applying to be a graphic designer or photographer, keep it to a minimum.

Good luck!
XsaraX

(img via)

DIY JEWELRY FRAME

I've been seeing quite a few awesome jewelry racks on Etsy & Pinterest lately that have inspired me to make my own. This project was extremely easy to put together and I'm super happy with the way it turned out. The thrifted picture frame was only $3 and household items were used to do the rest. (Please excuse the iphone picture quality)
MATERIALS:
1. Goodwill picture frame
2. Fabric
3. Hot glue
4. Metal hooks
5. Spray paint (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Use pliers to bend back the metal clasps on the backside of the picture frame and remove the glass/cardboard/etc.
2. Spray paint the frame if you want it in a specific color. (I used a nice wood frame so I didn't have to)
3. Wrap the cardboard piece in fabric and hot glue it in place.
4. Insert the covered cardboard back into the frame and close the metal clasps.
5. Arrange and hot glue the metal hooks onto the fabric side.
6. I added a gold bow at the top for decoration.
7. You're ready to hang your jewelry!

I made this one on Christmas day so luckily there were many pretty ribbons lying around the house. Try this project out with textured or decorated frames. I'll be incorporating sequins & glitter into the next one.
Happy crafting!
XsaraX

DIY ALIEN COSTUME

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! I thought I'd share my DIY costume this year. The entire outfit cost me a total of $12 and it turned out to be my best one yet.
Some of the needed supplies:

I hit up Goodwill and came across a $5 green slinky dress. Party City sold green tights for $6 and antennas for $1. Next, I created metallic arm bands with aluminum foil from the kitchen & spray painted an old pair of rain boots silver. I recycled some old face paint and craft glitter for eye make up, and voila....
THRIFTED ALIEN ATTIRE!

I wish I had better pictures of the full outfit. But you get the idea of what it looks like. Feel free to try it out at any future Halloween or costume parties!
How did your costumes turn out?

xo Sara

SHRINKY DINKS

This craft is great for rainy days with friends and a godsend when it comes to babysitting. Not only do Shrinky Dinks entertain children of all ages, but they're extremely fun for adults and teenagers as well. There are a few types of Shrinky Dink paper in stores, but I recommend the translucent paper made for colored pencils. The white/marker paper doesn't turn out as well and it's harder to trace on.

Romantic bat bookmark
Shrinky Dinks are a plastic paper that can be purchased online or at craft stores. They're drawn on and baked in the oven, where they shrink to 1/3 their original size (and 9 times their thickness). They can be used to make magnets, bookmarks, toys, ornaments, gift tags, etc.

MATERIALS:
1. Shrinky Dink paper
2. Colored pencils
3. Oven/mits
4. Hot glue & magnets or paper clip- depending on your intention
5. Scissors
6. Brown paper (bag)

Step 1: Draw the outline of your shrinky dink object. Make sure to draw it three times the size you want it to actually be

Step 2: Color the design in with colored pencils

Step 3: Cut the image out. I prefer to leave a half cm of space around the drawing. It's not noticeable after the shrinking.

Step 4: Place the design color side up on a piece of brown paper on a baking pan. Place the pan inside a preheated oven and watch as the design quickly shrinks.

Step 5: Don't freak out if the shrinky dink folds over and crumbles up, it will flatten out in a matter of seconds. You don't need to touch it.

Step 6: Once the design has lied flat for about 30 seconds or so, take it out with mits and let it cool off.

Step 7: Peel it off the paper and hot glue it to a magnet or paper clip to make a magnet or bookmark.

ONLINE THRIFTING

Last night, I came across THIS wonderful website and my mind was blown. ShopGoodwill is an internet auction site (think eBay and Goodwill COMBINED) where nationwide Goodwill stores can post selected items for users to bid on. It has all sorts of great stuff including shoes, clothing, furniture, appliances, and craft supplies...and the best part is...it's super cheap! These are just a few of my favorites from Shopgoodwill:

Seen above:
1. Craft supplies
2. Vintage camera
3. New & Vintage sewing machines (from $10!)
4. Lightly used designer shoes & clothing
5. Vintage signs
6. Beach bike
7. Antique sewing table

Thank me later ;-)
x
Sara

PORTLAND // SEATTLE

I thought I'd share some pictures of my recent trip to Portland, Oregon & Seattle, Washington. The scenery definitely lives up to the hype & all I can say is that I'll probably be moving to the Northwest in the future. Here are my thoughts on some of the best places to go in terms of thrifting & the independent art scene:
The Fremont District- Seattle, WA The Fremont District is an artsy neighborhood in Seattle that I can only describe as a cross between Atlanta's Virginia Highlands and Marina Del Rey. It has quirky stores, art galleries, restaurants and antique shops. One of the coolest public art pieces is the giant troll statue beneath the Aurora bridge. The 18 foot troll was sculpted by four local artists in 1990 and remains a popular tourist destination in Fremont. So awesome!

Rose City Park- Portland, OR Rose City Park is a beautiful little neighborhood where I spent the majority of my time. It's covered with artsy buildings, eclectic boutiques, green parks, and dozens of unique coffee shops. I highly recommend checking out Voodoo Donut for crazy donut flavors (Maple Bacon, Grape, Mango Jelly) & Powell's new & used books!

Pike's Place Market- Seattle, WA Pike's Place Market is a giant vendor market located along the river. It's a great destination for some of the world's best foods & loads of handmade things. The knit sweaters are bomb & the seafood bisque in a bread bowl is the best thing I've ever eaten! (P.S. everyone rides bikes)

Downtown- Seattle, WA Downtown Seattle is full of great shops & restaurants. This is one of my favorite stores called All Saints. All of the exterior walls were lined with vintage sewing machines & the clothing is b-e-a-utiful. If Restoration Hardware could produce clothes....this would be it. Definitely worth seeing!

Cheers!
x
Sara

HALLOWEEN TREATS

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday! The costumes and decorations are always so creative and entertaining to look at. If you decide to throw a Halloween party this year, these may be some great recipes to try out and impress your guests with. Here are a few of my hors d'oeuvre recipes from a previous Halloween party:
MONSTER CUPCAKES:

Ingredients: Cupcake mix, icing, food coloring, M&M's, gel icing pen

MUMMY DOGS:

Ingredients: Hotdogs, biscuit dough, and mustard (for eyes)

SPIDER COOKIES:

Ingredients: sourpatch tubes or twizzlers, icing, M&M's, Oreos

MUMMY PIZZAS:

Ingredients: layered biscuit dough, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, black olives 

EYEBALL ICE CUBES:

Ingredients: small radishes, green olives, ice cube tray, water