Friday, March 30, 2012

friday favorite | Red Lipstick

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of seeing all these girls on the street, at the bar, in the mall, looking cute with red lipstick on while I'm busy applying my Burt's Bees Honey Wax.

Whenever I put on red lipstick - I feel like a clown. I just do.

However this past summer, I decided to say "Who cares if I feel like a clown?! It's not like I can look much worse than how I feel." I still don't wear it very often, but when I do it makes feel a little on the edgy side.

My advice if you haven't tried it yet - Just do it!


Have a great weekend, everybody!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

florals and fauna

I'm usually not a fan of the floral trend that seems to pop up everywhere around this time of year. Don't get me wrong, I'm usually the I'll-try-and-wear-anything-once kind of girl, but flowery prints were just never my cup of tea.

However, I couldn't help but love the following images and items I've found and bookmarked over the past couple of weeks.


Of course, Audrey Hepburn can pull off the floral dress thing (even with a gigantic bow in her face) and still look amazing. I found this dress at Anthropologie and took note of that perfect indigo color and print.


I saw this flower belt recently on Zara's website. Usually this is something I would totally pass over, but this is something I gotta have. Putting it with a simple white t-shirt, under a black blazer would make it look less cutesy, and more sophisticated. (Is "cutesy" a word? #shitgirlssay)


Seeing this image of flowers that have been frozen into ice cubes has got me thinking about WHEN or WHERE or HOW I can make this happen in real life.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

a thinking spot


I snapped this picture over the weekend at a cafe by my house called "Morning Glory". My boyfriend and I stopped here to get irish coffees, sit outside, and pretend it was warm out.

Isn't this wall awesome?

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

inspiration | postcards from Paris

Sometimes when I'm absolutely out of inspiration, (I mean complete road block), I start rifling through old memory boxes, projects I did when I was young and things I've collected over the years.

These postcards where my source of inspiration for an upcoming project...


Aren't they cool?

Monday, March 26, 2012

D.I.Y. | ombre vase

I've been all about vases recently. I've started a small collection that resides on top of my bookshelf, and I've been antsy to add to it. I found this project in the book I always talk about {Design*Sponge} by the author of one of my favorite blogs.

The project was super simple, yet I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Friday, March 23, 2012

friday favorite | Spring Mix

I'm really strange when it comes to music.

I save my favorite songs for when I'm driving in my car or have my headphones in at work, but I can't do anything creative listening to music I'm familiar with (especially when I know all the lyrics). Maybe it's because I get distracted, but it doesn't help get the creative juices flowing.

I love discovering new music (especially when the season is changing) and making a new playlist that inspires and energizes me, and helps me focus on whatever project I am working on.

Here is what I've put together for this spring...


Listen to a couple and have a great weekend :)

Thursday, March 22, 2012

art | Jean Seberg

On mornings when the sun is shining and my windows are open, my favorite thing to do is roll out of bed and start painting. It's a great way to wake up and spend the first 30 to 45 minutes of the day.

Here is the piece I'm currently working on for a friend. It's taken from a photograph of the actress, Jean Seberg. Enjoy and let me know what you think :)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

damien hirst

Damien Hirst is a pretty weird dude. A lot of his earlier work revolved around the theme of death, where he showcased animals preserved or dissected. This is what put him on the map in the art world in 1990's, but that's not why I like him.

This is why I like him...

Beautiful revolving sphincter, opps brown painting, 2003

LSD, 1999

Monday, March 19, 2012

guest post | Midnight Shopping Trip

I'm very lucky to be surrounded with really creative and talented people on a day-to-day basis. {Jeff Snow} is one of them. His photography style is right up my ally - vintage with a modern twist. He took these photographs of his adorable wife, Sara, at a supermarket late one night and they turned out amazing.


I love the look of navy and black together. It looks polished and sophisticated, but not boring. Well done, Sara! And obviously, major props to Jeff!

Please visit {http://www.jeffsnow.com/} to see what all the fuss is about! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Friday, March 16, 2012

friday favorite | Succulents


My friend, {Alicia} got me into terrariums a couple years ago. They are truly bizarre - a whole little ecosystem squeezed into a jar or bowl. Although I can't say that I see myself ever owning one, the ingredients that you put in a terrarium are some of my most favorite plants and flowers in the world. The unusual colors and shapes of these succulents are so beautiful to me (and they are so easy to take care of!).

Plus, they're green! Which is so festive this time of year ;)

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day and a great weekend, you guys!

image credit: {design*sponge}

Thursday, March 15, 2012

bathroom tile

Who knew a bathroom could look so cool? Completely inspired.


image credit: {the selby}

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

art | Fern, Please


Patterns are a challenging thing to create. It is a very calculated construction of shapes, repetition and creativity which can get very tedious, very quickly.

However, I enjoy the difficulty sometimes and use these projects as way to experiment and reinvent common subjects. The piece above is the first of a series of patterns I'm creating. Eventually I would like to turn these pieces into fabric, but for now I enjoy the editing process of creating a bunch of different ideas and editing it down to ones I really love. This is one of the top contenders as of right now.

What do you think?

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

spring ahead


1. {Adia Kibur Short Neon Stone Necklace} - $54.00
2. {Stylemint Berlin T} - $29.99
3. {Madewell Skinny Skinny Colorpop Jeans} - $110.00
4. {Original Hunter Wellington Rain Boots} - $125.00

The extra hours of sunlight and the warmer temperatures have gotten me in the mood for spring. Unfortunately, unexpected thunderstorms and cold fronts can put a damper on the usual spring wardrobe. Therefore, mixing pastels and florescents in with my normal neutral staples is a way to celebrate the change of season without looking inappropriate.

P.S. How great is that necklace?! What a find!

Monday, March 12, 2012

pattern love


Man, sometimes a really great pattern can make my heart beat faster than usual. Thank you, Kate Spade.

Friday, March 9, 2012

friday favorite | Espresso


I've been on the go a lot recently, so maybe that's the reason why I've been favoring straights shots of espresso over coffee - ya just down 'em, and go!

However, I do enjoy mornings like I had this past week where I could sit with a scone and "The Hunger Games" (65% done!) and drink the espresso out of a huge mug. Call me crazy but I love the bitter bite that comes with each sip. There's this cute place in my neighborhood that is an indoor/outdoor cafe that specializes in breakfast and baked goods. During the cooler months they close off the outdoor seating, but I was happy to see that they have re-opened it.


Now, back to "The Hunger Games"....

Have a great weekend, you guys!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

fresh air




The first warm days of spring in Michigan are the best. Even though we've had a mild winter, when the sun is shining and you can roll your windows down, it's something everyone can appreciate. A lighter jacket, brighter colors, and everyone in a good mood is something I never take for granted.

I'm heading to Florida this weekend for a family wedding, and I'm kind of disappointed I won't be able to spend the time enjoying the fresh air up here. But I have big plans to make up for it next week!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

milly | fall winter 2012

Milly's FW12 collection was my favorite. The saturated colors, the retro vibe and those HATS! In. Love. Here a couple of my favorite looks.




image credit: {fashionista}

red and navy


After I bought {this} Iphone case, I started noticing my affinity for the color combination of red and navy. Then when I started packing for an upcoming trip to Florida, I realized I really had an affinity for these colors. I think red and navy blue is a fun and classic combination. Add a pattern into the mix? Be still my heart!

Monday, March 5, 2012

new beginnings


There is something about March that makes me want to start fresh. Even though it's chilly outside, spring is just around the corner and this calls for a little makeover.

Over the past six months, I have kept with the idea that each week (loosely or directly) follows a theme. All of the art, fashion and inspiration comes from that singular idea. I've been very pleased with the results, the ideas that have come out of these postings, and the loyal audience I have gained!

However, I've decided to abandon the whole "theme" idea. Boxing myself in when I first started helped me stay organized and consistent, but now I'm ready to branch off.

This means that on any given day, you might see a personal style post, a piece of inspiration I've found either scouring the internet or on my own, and of course, original pieces of art that I have created (either for sale or viewing pleasure). Everyday will be a surprise!

The reason I'm changing it up a bit is because I want the postings to feel more organic and true to myself. When I find a cool piece of jewelry or pattern that I love, or when I sketch something that I think is worth sharing - I don't want to have to wait two months before I can find a place to use it. This way, every post will be about what is currently capturing my attention and catching my eye.

This new setup also allows for guest posts! I am fortunate enough to have a lot of really creative and talented people in my life and I'm really excited to be able to share them with you!

Please let me know you're thoughts or any feedback/ideas/comments you may have! I love hearing from you!

Friday, March 2, 2012

friday favorite | The Hunger Games


I recently picked up "The Hunger Games" and I haven't put it down. I thought it was a very strange story at the beginning, but right now I'm about 100 pages in and I'm completely hooked. I know I'm jumping on this train a little late (seeing as the movie comes out in a couple of weeks) but I'm fully onboard.

If you haven't read it yet, it's an easy and perfect weekend read!

Have a good one, you guys!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

blog of the week | Pinterest


Ok, so {Pinterest} isn't necessarily a "blog" but it is one of my biggest influences for what I put on my blog each and every week.

Pinterest is the place I go when my mind is completely blank. Spending five minutes on Pinterest leaves me with new recipe ideas, a new designer that I begin to follow, or I discover an artist that I have never heard of before. It truly is remarkable how much inspiration you can find just looking at what other people are interested in.

I love this site is because it's so accessible to everyone. It seems to have capitivated a wide audience of people who are looking for the same things I am - creative ways to get through the day.

If you haven't signed up, please let me know and I will send you an invitation :)