red necklace sequence

I just purchased the best red beaded necklace from Denise Jewelry Designs on Etsy. I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek at what usually happens in my head when I get excited about a new purchase. Let's just say... I won't deny being a big dreamer. ;)

necklace  •  fashion set  • paris pics 1 2 3

hidden eiffel

There's something about being able to take old unwanted things and create new art out of them that is deeply satisfying for me. One of the easiest ways I know how to do this is taking an old canvas - usually that I've found at a thrift store or possible garage sale - and repainting it. *When doing this, try to get past the god-awful dated painting on it and look to see if the frame has potential and if the canvas is in good shape and not warped.;)

Below is one of my favorites. I found an old painting of the Eiffel Tower, rotated it and painted, frame included. I love that you can still make out the structure of the tower. I think it adds interest and is kind of a fun story to tell, ya know? :)

amazing grace

It's been quite awhile since I've posted. What happened? Christmas shopping? Holiday madness?  ... Life? ...   A little bit of everything I think.  

2014 has just barely begun and although I'm filled with optimism and goals and hopes... the truth is, this will be a tough year. For myself and for my family. I won't go into detail because I honestly don't have all the answers right now. I DO know I have a lot of amazing friends and family there for me, I've been reading a lot, doing a little bit of yoga, and overall, just trying to stay healthy - mentally and physically. And yes, there's been a few nights of bubble baths, moody music and a few too many glasses of wine - don't judge. Sometimes a girl needs what a girl needs.  

One of my favorite items of 2013 was Philosophy's Amazing Grace lotion. I was SO so so happy to get more for Christmas and also the perfume to go with it. (Seriously, I've gotten so many compliments on this lotion - it's the best - fresh, clean and beautiful - try it - it's addictive.) I was struck by the message on the perfume box because it's very fitting right now and is truly how I'd really like to take on my 2014.

philosophy: how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. 

it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light.

So here's to living 2014  with Grace.  

*cheers* 

NYC Photography - Anthropolgie

I'm not trying to post about Anthropologie all the time, but they've been such a great inspiration when it's come to fashion, decor and design, it's hard not to. Even their videos captivate me. 

This time, Anthropologie was a great source in helping me decorate my home. The last time I was in NYC, I walked down to their flagship store in Rockefeller Center but got there a bit before they opened. I wandered around, taking in the NYC morning and marveling at their always-impressive window displays. (seriously google image search 'NYC Anthropologie' please - impressive stuff).

Below are some of my photos, and at the end, a desaturated version (enlarged to ~22 x 34") that works perfectly with my bedroom decor (dark grey walls, this WestElm duvet cover that I'm completely in love with, fresh white sheets and a mix of antique and contemporary dark stained furniture). Can't wait to get it up on the wall :).

 

 

pens, pencils & paintbrushes

I usually have 1 to 2 to 20 random art ideas brewin' in my head at all times. It's usually just a matter of finding the time to get into my design/sewing/art/storage room and see if what's in my head can translate on canvas or paper.

I'd had this pen/pencil/paintbrush art idea for close to a year. I've always loved collage work, repetition, and series art ... and I'm so inspired by people who take the most random object and create an amazing piece of art work. So anyways -– We've always had a large amount of almost-dried up pens, paintbrushes that are beyond help and pencils that just don't get used so I thought they'd be the perfect subject matter. This messy, drippy, multi-colored art was really fun to create and I'm loving the results. :)

 

fashion52: photo challenge (34-39/52)

Fall styling can be really fun on so many levels. You're bringing back those rich, saturated colors - oranges, reds, mustards. You're able to mix in chunky textures like cozy knit sweaters and scarves. It's also much easier (and more necessary) to layer, which opens the door to tie together numerous pieces. Kind of like collage art work, sometimes the more you put together, the better it can look. Below are a few hints of my own fall combinations.

Jack Johnson - From Here to Now to You

Last weekend my husband and I drove the 5 long hours to Chicago to see my favorite singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson, perform. It was.. inhale… amazing. Like, smiling-through-tears amazing. I can’t help but be a bit smitten with this Hawaiian man. He started surfing at age 5 and learned how to play guitar at age 8 and even tho he tours the world, he still seems to maintain that laid back humbleness - truly seeming genuine and decent. And put simply, I love how he sings and what he sings about ...  the tan and flip flops are also a plus ;) 

*first three photos are mine, others found here, here and here.