small packages

The best gifts always have these two things in common - 1.) They must be beautifully, carefully, and personally wrapped. 2.) They must things that the receiver would want, but would never buy themselves.

I never follow these rules. I'm a "throw it in a bag & give them a gift card" kinda gal. But this year, I tried being an adult and a better gift-giver.

I took some time and bought specific yarn for the bows, stamps for the labels, and classic brown paper for the wrapping.

However, the gifts I gave paled in comparison to the gifts I was given. Above is a sample of what I received from my sisters. The nailpolish, the lipstick and the perfume are all things I lust at, but usually leave it somewhere random on it's trip up to the register.

I'm glad my sisters picked up them behind me ;)

merry christmas

I hope you're listening to some Christmas carols, watching "Home Alone", or wrapping presents, spending time with your loved ones, or enjoying the day.

Time to get off your phone or computer and enjoy these fleeting moments.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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places to go | BHLDN

First of all, my hair was reacting poorly to the damp weather in Chicago over this past weekend. Total. Lion. Mane.

Second of all, I don't want anyone to freak out - I'm not looking at wedding dresses. I've been a fan of {BHLDN} since it's launch about 2 years ago. So while I was in the area, I figured there was no issue with popping in for a 5-minute browse.

Yes, the dresses were BEYOND gorgeous, but what's not pictured is the beautiful party dresses, shoes, gifts, and accessories. If you're in the Chicago area, it's totally worth checking out. And if you're not, visit the {BHLDN website} and enjoy :)

selfish desires

Has anyone else had a REALLY HARD TIME denying buying for themselves this holiday season!? Granted, yes, I have completed my Christmas shopping list, but DEAR GOD it was a challenge to put the blinders on for all of the great things I came across while doing so.

So to treat myself, I made two online purchases today. {This print} and {this top} was totally on sale, so it was totally justified, meh?

off to | Chicago

Today is a very important day! I have finished my Christmas shopping (Thank you, William Sonoma)! Just in time to begin a million other things that need to get accomplished before December 25th.

One of which is a family trip to Chicago. We leave tomorrow and I haven't even begun packing, but that's what big coats are for right? So I basically wear the same outfit the whole weekend without fear of judgement?

Have a warm and cozy weekend, everyone! Happy Holidays :)

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playlist for productivity

With Christmas just around the corner, projects that need tweaking, and shopping that needs to get done - it's easy to pull the covers over your head and just give up.

I pride myself on the playlists I create to elicit a certain mood and this is one I created for productivity. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

the year ahead

It's only December 10th and I already have my new year's resolution figured out - "More original work".

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE creating custom pieces for family, friends and even complete strangers (like I have done over the past year). But it seems that I've overbooked myself, so week after week, I've left little-to-no time for my own creative expression.

Whether it be taking photos or painting with no plan in mind - these types of things have taken a backseat.

I've always been one to say, "I don't care what I'm painting, so long as I'm painting!" which is still absolutely true. But painting, creating, art'ing is also a form of personal therapy, and I need to therapize on my own time with my own ideas more often. (Man, I just completely made up two words in the last sentence.)

I hope you all understand! Please still email, text and call me with requests - I will excitedly and happily oblige - but it might just take a little bit longer to work you in to this new schedule! And who knows, maybe you'll see something you like with all the new ideas I've come up with for the new year :)

color love | pink + rust

Winter is a sad time for pastels. I have this pair of mint-colored denim that are basically weeping and shivering in the back of my closet.

However, when I went shopping at J.Crew this afternoon, I found myself still drawn to the lighter colors. Mixing it with a "dirtier" pastel (such as rust) can warm it up a little bit! (P.S. How cute would this color scheme for a autumn or winter wedding?)

free your mind

Don't be so shallow.

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shop i love | Baba Souk

1. {Have Mercy Poster}

2. {Red Bird Baba Pillow}

3. {Secret Message Lanterns}

4. {Asymmetric Necklace}

5. {Golden Delight Necklace}

This Christmas season is going to be a busy one - a combination of finishing projects for others, as well as two weekend trips out of town planned, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed (especially in the gift department).

Thank god {Baba Souk} launched it's retail site just in time for Christmas. The curator and creator of the site, Stephanie Hebert, is a graphic designer that I stumbled across and quickly became a fan of. Here aesthetic is so closely related to my own, that I feel like I've found a kindred Canadian spirit.

I urge you to check out her shop {here}. (Psst - Everything I've found above is under $50!)

the way you make me feel

It's always an artist's goal to make you feel their piece - no, like REALLY feel it. Like, they want you to know what it feels like. Gah - I'm not making myself very clear.

Texture - people! Working with techniques in order to make a painting look and FEEL a certain way can be a daunting task. But I like to simplify it. Manipulating the paint in order to mimic a certain light pattern is the way I go about creating texture.

Basically, I look at the texture and say to myself "Oh! It's a little dark here and here and here, it gets lighter there and there, and then it's REALLY light here." Talking to yourself is an extremely necessary part of this process (as with any process).

P.S. Here's a little surprise of all of you! This week only! Click {this link} to see what I'm talking about!

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