wild child

I love watching little kids draw. (Man, that sounds creepy.) It's not so much them as the art they create, their technique, their ideas that are so interesting to me. They are always so confident and pleased with the work they've done, and the truely let their imagination run wild all over the page.

I was excited when I found {this blog} dedicated to children's art - a place I will be visiting often when I need to let go of my inhibitions.

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hedgehog cookies

I was looking at {this} while waiting in line to get coffee one morning, and thought to myself - this would look really cute as a cookie.

(1.) I made peanut butter cookies in the shape of a teardrop (2.) and spread chocolate and chocolate chips for the back. (3.) I used a toothpick in order to get the tiny nose and eyes.

It was a pretty messy project, but I think they came out well! (Which is not something I can usually say!)

two things

I run the Pinterest account at my job, so I'm constantly scrolling around tumblrs looking for cool images, and fresh ideas - things I've never seen before.

I always begin my search at {fox on the run} My friend Alicia who runs FOTR seems to find the coolest stuff.

 Here are two images I found there that are currently inspiring me.

sun day

I had the opportunity to spend a couple hours outside yesterday and I'm glad I did. With the rainy start to the week today, it's good to remember to seize the moments of sunshine (especially during a Michigan spring).

perfect outfit for may

Pattern | Look

playing with fonts

I recently purchased a Wacom pen and man am I having fun. The thing I hate about Photoshop (and about life in general) are fonts. This whole blog would be in my handwriting if I could!

Maybe it's because I was kinesthetic learner, but I need to write it down to remember it, to learn it, to understand it, to digest it. Needless to say, this Wacom pen is helping me understand the power of Photoshop so much better and has really opened my eyes to the creativity that has to be discovered using this program.

I played around with some of my own "fonts" and writing styles using some of my favorite song lyrics. There will be much more to come!

color inspiration | coral

Like I mentioned yesterday, it's only a matter of a time before I sit and stare at my computer or canvas completely out of ideas. A sure fire way to get my creative juices flowing again is picking a color, any color, and searching for things, places, artwork that incorporate that color in an interesting way.

Artwork | Nars Lipstick 

  

Macarons 

 

Balloons | Hunter Boots

writer's block

Writers block central over here. My mind has been distracted by finishing up a couple projects that I haven't had time to sit and collect inspiration.

That's always a scary thing for me, because when those projects are finished, there's usually a whole new batch on my list and I need fresh inspiration for the upcoming work.

 I'm spending tonight getting my thoughts together and decompressing a little bit, hopefully coming up with some new ideas. It's going to be GREAT!

penguin book covers

 

 Shopping for me can involve a lot of browsing. But when I came across a box of 100 Penguin book cover postcards, I immediately thought of a dozen ideas to put them to good use, so I had to have them.

   

 The bold colors, the simple and clear message, the design and type are going to inspire future projects as well as using the postcards themselves as a faux-wallpaper. I also thought of adding some of the titles to a giant reading list, just because the cover looks so enticing.

You can buy your own pack by clicking {this link}

friday favorite | Dancing Dress

While most people put on dancing shoes, I put on a dancing dress when I go out. It was completely by accident, but I noticed that I tend to be attracted to the same shape and style dress for dressy occasions - shift, three-quarter length sleeve, pattern, retro.

I have a fancy, expensive black one from Kate Spade, one from JCrew (seen on the right) and a inexpensive one from H&M (seen on the left, my favorite).

Wearing something comfortable is a huge confidence booster - so who cares if I've worn the same thing a dozen times? As long I can dance - it's all good!

Have a great weekend everyone!

The giant polaroids make me happy.

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tory burch beverly shoe

Obviously, these are out of my budget - but hey! a girl can dream...

P.S. - Are you on Twitter? Be sure to follow me by clicking here!! I promise to make it as LEAST boring as possible :)

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take a look around

These are just some pictures I snapped while driving around (or letting my dog outside). Man - spring really makes everything look beautiful, huh?

there you are again, monday

This weekend I stayed out way too late, ate too many carbs, and took way too many naps. I didn't exercise once, and basically did nothing productive - but had A LOT of fun.

After weekends like this, sometimes I look forward to Monday. Making healthy lunches, scheduling time to work on side projects, and going for runs & walks with the nice weather we're expecting - it's going to be a good week!

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friday favorite | Facials

I could definitely take better care of my skin. My freckles are proof of that and I know I am probably going to pay later in life for going sunscreen-free on a regular basis.

 However, I do love a good facial. I've gotten professional ones a handful of times, but a D.I.Y. facial is pretty great as well. I stick to the basics - exfoliate, repair, moisturize - and love Clinque and Lancome products. Simple, quick, easy!

 Be good to yourself this weekend everybody! See ya Monday!

splish splash

The prints on bikinis this year is pretty great. Not only am I saving these images for future inspiration, but also I need a new bathing suit this year. They're all so cute, I can't choose!

1. J.Crew Mini Delicious Apple Bikini (tiny little apples!)
2. J.Crew Anchors Aweigh Bikini (anchor mini print!)
3. Anthropologie Cannes Maillot One Piece

summer reading list

Summer is right around the corner, and although I have a stack of magazines to go through and a couple of coffee table books laying next to my bed, I have come up with a few books that are on my summer reading list:

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. I've never been a Jane Austen fan. I don't know - I get uncomfortable with all of the mushy-gushy stuff, but I am actually looking forward to reading this one. I have never seen the movie, and honestly I'm not 100% sure what it's about so I decided to put it at the top of my list.

Heat by Bill Buford. It's about the author quitting his job as a journalist to become a chef.

The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas. This a book I've heard about and immediately was intrigued since one of my most favorite (and heartbreaking) movies is "Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind". It's a love story that takes place solely in the place of consciousness, as if it were a real place.

I'm sprinkling in Kurt Vonnegut as well. His first three books, The Sirens of Titan, Mother Night, and Cat's Cradle is what I'm most looking forward to this summer.

What are you reading? Anything I'm missing?

alice in vogue

Grace Coddington is a hero of mine. Her mind must house the most vast and endless catalog of creative ideas of almost anyone in the fashion world. The themes she comes up with when she styles shoots, her presentation, and her vision is so clear and yet, so out of the ordinary.

Here is one of my favorites. This "Alice In Wonderland" shoot has Grace Coddington written all over it. Taking the classic story, modernizing it, and pushing tradition back and forth between the pages of a fairy tale all while capturing couture and the fashion elite.

friday favorite | Elizabeth & James Spring Glasses

The Elizabeth & James eyewear collection is something I am always browsing through since it's launch in June of last year. The Spring glasses have always been my favorite and since my glasses are almost as old as I am, I'm ready for a new pair.

I hope you have a great weekend :)

summer style

The Coachella music festival in Palm Springs seems to be the fashion week of the summer and I follow it religiously. The lineup this year is amazing so it's sure to bring out an eclectic and well-dressed crowd.

Here are some of my favorites from years passed - outfits that I'll try to emulate as I get my summer clothes together.

art | ... to be continued

I'm in the process of working on a few abstract pieces and it's quite a different process than what I am used to. I have the same type of subjects but the process of getting the piece where you want to be can be maddening. Deciding on a light source, a color palette, a brush stoke style all while capturing the emotion you're investing into the painting - it's a challenge, but it's a fun and inspiring challenge.

inspiration | subway tiles

{My bathroom at home}

If you have spent any time on this blog at all, you know that I am a sucker for color. But when it comes to decorating, I find myself attracted to clean white spaces (especially bathrooms and kitchens). We redid my bathroom when we first moved in and my dad suggested subway tiles. I fell in love with urban yet sophisticated and classic look.

Below are some other ways to use subway tiles that I have bookmarked.

one hundred and one

Her name was Genevieve Peacock (but she liked to be called "Jean") and if my grandmother was still alive, she would 101 years old today.

Happy Birthday, Nana!

friday favorite | Mighty Mango Blended Drink

When I go to Starbucks, I always get something with 3 to 4 shots of espresso. I realize this is not the healthiest of habits, so I've been trying to cut back (here and there).

My sister gave me the idea to ask for one of the juices blended, and they thankfully obliged. The Might Mango is my favorite, but I imagine the other flavors would be delish as well.

I suggest you give it a try! It's my new favorite breakfast.

Have a beautiful weekend and Happy Easter, you guys!

art | Dreamsicles and Ice Cream

I've been really busy working on pieces for others that it's hard to find the time to translate my own ideas into what I want them to be. I force myself to make time everyday to doodle in my notebook or draw out some sketches, but rarely do those ideas ever see a dob of paint.

Here is an idea that I've had wanted to see come to life since the moment it hit the page. I am sucker for pastels and I was really happy with the way it turned out.

(If you are interested in purchasing this piece, please email me at mollydaudlin@gmail.com)