Meet Annah Chakola Ramsey

 

This girl's got a swagger and attitude that's laid back and badass cool.  You admire her style and your boyfriend admires her gigantic, gorgeous eyes.  And get this, she's incredibly talented.  Jewelry you'll die for and a new luxury line of handbags designed and made on her last trip home to India.  How would I describe the feel of the line?  Rich ass bohemian gypsy.  Carefree, chic, elegant, inspired.  The fabrics and leather are so beautiful, you won't fling it on the ground at your next patio lunch date.  I got a peek at her new jewelry pieces, seemingly inspired by animals and nature, a running theme in her delicate necklaces and earrings.  Lucky enough to have been asked to the photoshoot for her new line, I took a few behind the scenes photos and asked Annah a few questions.                          ♥ Jaguar Paw                                     *the first 2 photos were taken by the uber talented Peter Roger Dolese.                     

Do you have a nickname?

I have a few! I grew up being called Annahmol.  "Mol" means daughter in my mother tongue.  Everyone back home has been calling me that since I was little and it stuck to this day. It's almost weird when I hear my family and friends in India calling me Annah.  In America, people think it translates to Animal!   Ha!  My mum called me "Kiki " for a long time and my dad called me"Bambi" after the cartoon bambi.  Once I got to the US, I realized that name is most common among strippers...  hmmm!!

Who are you?

I would like to think Im a 21st century bohemian...whatever that means.  I do what makes me happy in this moment. Sometimes its not always a good thing but thats me!

What inspires you?

Traveling and seeing traditional arts around the world inspire me to no end!

 What countries have you recently traveled to and which was your favorite? 

I traveled to India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Thailand. India is my fav because my family lives there and the energy of that country inspires me! I thoroughly enjoyed Thailand too. Im a bit of a foodie and thai food does crazy things to my palette so I can quite confidently say I ate my way through Thailand. Thai street food is quite possibly the best in the world...  hands down! All the other countries were beautiful in their own way too!

Did you always know you would design someday?
Ive always been designing- I think I started with greeting cards when I was a wee one.  I used to have my own logo at the back of each card that said "designs by AC milan" after my fav Italian soccer club!  I think my logo was a dove.  Dont ask me why!  Fashion design was what I wanted to do for the longest time and I had plans to go to school in Milan after high school but my father passed away and my path took me to America.  I initially started off doing what was "safe" and would help pay the bills" but I realized I was starting to feel numb inside and thats when I knew I needed to make a change and get back to the drawing board so to speak!

                                                   What is your best advice? (about anything!)

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Nelson Mandela ...one of my favs!

Do you have a badass hangover cure you'd like to share? 

Pad kee mao, it's a Thai dish and funny enough its called "drunken noodles" in english.  It is heaven on a plate and gives me instant relief.  Oh, and some fresh juice!  Orange, carrot, whatever ..as long as its made right then.  I'll have it!

What can we expect from you next?

I initially started doing just jewelry as a hobby but I realize I love accessorizing and I dont want to limit myself. I have a new handbag collection out that I am very excited about. I traveled around Asia and found antique hand embroidered tribal fabric and built a collection based around that. Mixed with buttery soft leather to boot! I also got my hands on some amazing naturally dyed organic cotton fabric and I designed a wardrobe essential that should be ready in mid august. I would love to get into clothing more one day...where it all started!  I like the idea of coming full circle! 

                                                *Annah.   

Check out more of Annah at www.bohogypsy.com

                                                                       

the easter bun bun.

Baby is getting taller, skinnier, louder, bossier, and more independent everyday. Some days he's sweet, some days he's in a bad mood. Goes with the 2 year old territory I guess. This weekend we had egg hunts, a birthday, a wedding reception, and a friend in town. It rained. We ate red curry and pra ram. I drank a little wine, Husband drank a few beers. We watched an obscene number of Friday Night Lights episodes on Netflix streaming. Ohmygod that show is SO GOOD. If I talked about how great it is, it could have it's own blog. I'm sure there's one somewhere. Oh Tim Riggins, you are beautiful.
Baby was sick last week so he missed school and I didn't get to visit my Grandma. As nice as it is to have the baby around all day, everyday- this mommy needs a little break. We have several friends who offer to watch him every week but then can't ever actually watch him. I know how it is though, people have lives. I'm guilty of living in my little bubble with Baby and Husband and dismissing everything else. That's something I need to work on. But... if you are a friend and can watch Jack this evening or tomorrow evening, that would be awesome and I will owe you a huge favor. Like, if you're ever stranded in a nearby state, I will totally come and pick you up. Or if you leave your wallet at home, I'll buy your lunch. Or I'll just take you out for dinner sometime. Babysitter's choice!

What's going on- Tonight Mates of State play a free show at OU. It's rainy outside so they've moved it inside. BOO! We thought about taking Jack but I think it'll be too crowded inside so we probably won't go. Water for Elephants opened in theaters this weekend- i loved the book so i'm excited to see it. Wednesday we have The Oh Johnny! Girls' rehearsal. Thursday we play the opening day of the Norman Music Festival. Bill and Dee's at 11pm. Saturday I play twice with my other band, Bulletproof Tiger. 1:30 at the Opolis and 3:30 at the Blue Bonnet Bar.
above: My dad cut a piece of birthday cake for Jack (my niece's sweet 16) and the birthday girl wasn't even there yet! There was a big hole cut out while she blew out her candles. Jack was appreciative.

above: The early works of Jack H. E. Brady. Baby Jack's school/church had an art fundraiser for a new playground and art center. Jack's painting sold for $30. The kid has art in his blood- i can actually hang it up! I love it. Some of those other kids have questionable art skills. Jack, once again, you rule.

above and below: Saturday night we had a casual sort of wedding reception to attend. It was nice to see old friends. We stopped by The Library and The Garage before the party. The Garage is new and I like it. Last week I went to Blackbird Gastropub and liked it too. Feels good to have some new places in town to go to.
Baby Jack calls the Easter Bunny "Bun Bun" and is terrified of him. I never knew he could hold on to me so tight. I don't blame him though- Bun Bun was pretty creepy looking. Sunday we had lunch at The Trails. Bun Bun was there and we went on an egg hunt in the men's locker room because of the crazy rain floods. Jack had fun, I had a mimosa. I went casual with gap jeans and a white banana republic shirt, a trench, and heels. A pastel dress just seems weird to wear when it's dark and crappy outside. I LOVE Easter dress hunting so it was disappointing but there's always next year.

I erased all contacts in my phone yesterday. Yay! I'm such a mess already this week. If you're around, let's get a glass of wine or something. I need to get out of the house, even if it's for an hour.

♥ jp

Home Sweet Oklahoma

If i were a wedding cake, what kind of wedding cake would i be? This one.  The one i would have picked if i could have picked. (we did have a cake and it was delicious and pretty, but if i could have picked it out... is all i'm saying) Not neccessarily in this pink- maybe, i do love pink- but perhaps in white or creamy yellow. I'm not sure what the words on it say, but mine would be lyrics from a song. Maybe something by Otis Redding. Maybe something by me.  I found this cake on marthastewart.com. 

So Saturday we went to the Dustbowl Arts Market. It was small but nice. I bought 2 pairs of earrings (from Erin Turner of Feather Revolution- one with turquoise that i used as a charm on a gold chain and one with striped feathers) and the husband bought me a cool vintage-y looking tank with brown and green stripes. It says Oklahoma. I love Oklahoma and want the world to know.
This is Hannah and Bandmate.



Baby loves being outside and he loves people, girls in particular, so this was a perfect little family afternoon.
♥ Jaguar Paw ♥