thursday is a fun day

 {girl} | {bunny}

This post is just because I've saved these two images on my desktop for the last two weeks - trying to find something to do with them. Turns out the have a lot in common - they're both cute!

style | Going Out

It's a rare occasion nowadays when I pull an outfit together that doesn't have paint on it or isn't from the heap of laundry on my bedroom floor. I've been busy (which is good for business, but bad for my overall appearance).

When I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, I had no choice but to class it up a bit. Here are the results

coffee cup

Sometimes, I find inspiration in the strangest of places. For instance - the bottom of my coffee cup.

Scott Wohlfeill Designs

My friend, Scott is one of those people that designs something that always leaves me scratching my head, thinking "How did he do that?".

I asked him to design a concert poster for my boyfriend for his birthday, and the results were so great that I just had to have one for myself. I wanted something vintage-inspired but still using a modern band, so I picked one of my favorites (She & Him) and let Scott take over in terms of design.

As you can see, he picked up on the vibe I was after, adding some of my favorite colors (and my birthday) in order to make it super personal.

I highly suggest you visit {Scott Wohlfeill Designs} to check out more of his work, and "Like" him on {his facebook page} if you are interested in having a custom-made concert poster of your own!

friday favorite | The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sister, Katie, is very adventurous when it comes to trying new recipes. She brought these cookies to a family birthday party recently - and these little cookies outshined the delicious cake, the ice cream, even the alcohol!

 They take 48 hours to make, but trust me - there really are the BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES ... ever.

{photo and recipe credit: Cupcakes & Cashmere}

hot tea

 {"hot tea"} 

 

{one} {two} {three}

I've been getting Earl Grey Tea Lattes (and Green Tea Lattes) all week during my lunch break. It's been a nice reprieve from the jolt of espresso my system gets at least once a day.

Although the weather has turned warm, I am vowing to drink more tea. Using the color palette of tea, I found some great summer dresses with a perfect mix of  comfort and sophistication. (Perfect for a tea party, eh?)

feeling blue

How great do these colors look together? I snapped this shot at the lake by my house while I was going for a run. Sometime the simplest ideas give the most inspiration.

inspiration | The Olsen Twins

I feel like I've done a pretty good job at hiding my obsession with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen on this blog. Those of you who know me very well (or have talked to me for more than 10 minutes) know about this fascination all too well.

I've loved the Olsen Twins for a very very long time. I love that you can't tell if that t-shirt they are wearing costs $2 or a million dollars. I love that they dated artists and hung around with such an interesting and eclectic group of people. I love that they keep pushing the boundaries of fashion and creativity as a whole.

What inspires me most about them is not only their incredible work ethic, but the originality and fearlessness in the way that they lead their lives. The quotes they have said I have copied into so many notebooks and journals, they could write a novel at this point.

They are avant garde human beings - always keeping my attention, always making me wonder, "Where are they going next?"

I've said before and I'll keep saying it - From our generation, the Olsens are the ones to watch and apparently the CDFA thinks so too (as of last night!).

our trip to chicago

My sisters and I got the opportunity to do something we never do - get out of town! Luckily, our hometown is just a easy car ride to Chicago - a city full of great shopping, even better food, and plenty of places to relax, hang out, and enjoy the company of family and friends.





Like I mentioned above we did a lot of shopping - the H&M by the Water Tower is amazing! And the Tory Burch store is totally worth the trip just to see the 14-caret gold plated ceilings! I got a pair of shoes there that I've had my eye on for a while now (on sale, of course!).



We went to brunch at Meli's on Saturday and Dunlay's on Clark on Sunday and both were delish.

Friday night, Katie made us reservations at RPM, Guiliana and Bill Rancic's new restaurant. Sadly, there were not there.. which is clearly why we went there in the first place. We also went to the Paris Club which I highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Chicago.



We went to Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park before we left to get some cupcakes for the ride home. Pretty much the greatest idea ever.

It was a great trip!

Molly Alone on Etsy

After months and months of going back-and-forth, I've finally decided to put some of my work up on Etsy!

{Click Here} to see the eight paintings I have for sale as of right now, but new ones will be going up all the time!

It's been a really nerve-racking and stressful process, putting out the pieces I create, and choosing the ones to share (and the ones best not to share) but I hope you like what you see!

Any and all feedback would be much appreciated!

I'm off to Chicago! Have a good weekend everyone!

a little facelift

Sorry for the lack of AWESOME posts this week. I've been super focused on setting up my Etsy shop as well as trying out some new logos. I'm feeling great, but a little spent!

I really can't wait to share the pieces I've worked on - some will be familiar to you either from inspiration you've seen here or pieces I've sketched out by never put them to paint and canvas. Check back tomorrow!

inspiration | Kate Middleton

Last night I watched the special on the Queen's Jubilee while collecting inspiration for pieces for my Etsy shop (that launches Friday!).

Kate's use of color is something to be admired, but let's be honest, I just wanted an excuse to look at pictures of her throughout the years!

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style icon | Vanessa Carlton

Remember Vanessa Carlton? She had that song "A Thousand Miles" back when I was a senior in high school. I was obsessed. And I've been secretly following her career closely since then. What can I say - I'm very loyal, even if it's super dorky.

This video is for a song off of her latest album and it is GREAT. It reminds me of a video Jewel would do in the early 90's. The styling is so hippie-chic, and the song is really pretty.

Check it out!

(P.S. If I was to get married tomorrow, I would totally wear that white dress in the beginning.)

happy memorial day!

Today is one of the best days of the year that I always seem to forget about. It's a Monday and I'm not at work. FINALLY, it's the first unofficial day of summer and the weather is beautiful.

I'm going to breakfast with my mom and sisters, but then I plan on going for a run and spending the rest of the day poolside.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

friday favorite | hot granola

I was on my own for dinner last night, so thank God the bakery/coffee shop/cafe by my house is open late. I just didn't feel like Jimmy Johns for the third time this week.

Instead of getting a sandwich, one of the employees suggested I try their homemade granola, served hot. OH MY GOD, it was delish. The granola was made with flax seed, almond slices, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and honey. It was topped with fresh berries and non-fat milk. I am already planning a trip back there over the long weekend with my mom. I just can't wait!

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

my surroundings

As I have mentioned here before, I am always drawn to color - the brighter or the bolder, the better. However sometimes it's nice to have a reprieve, and relax in a neutral, calming space.

Whether it be clothes, interior design, art, or just "stuff" in general - I am constantly grappling with this decision. Do I want to be bold? Or serene?

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art | Morgan from "Smith, Here"

I was beyond thrilled when I got the opportunity to create a custom piece for Morgan from "Smith, Here" (one of my favorite California lifestyle blogs). We exchanged many emails until we both agreed on a design and subject matter that reflected her style and my aesthetic. I used a picture of her and her husband as inspiration so that it would feel personal, but still modern.

For more details on the painting, check out her post {here}.

If you are interested in a custom piece, please leave a comment or feel free to email me at mollydaudlin@gmail.com.

Also - STAY TUNED! My Etsy shop will be up and running by the end of next week. I can't wait to share the pieces I've been working on :)

tattoo

I'm designing a tattoo this week, and WOW! am I scared! Paintings can be changed out when you get tired of them and minor changes can be made. A tattoo is a whole other ballgame.

I felt pretty cool gathering up a bunch of tattoo magazines in Barnes and Noble yesterday. Hopefully they will give me some guidance because I'm feeling pretty intimidated right now!

a new day

It's a beautiful Monday morning! If you don't have a plan for your day, someone else will.

target espadrilles

I picked up {these espadrilles} yesterday (while intending just to get some snacks for my desk) at Target. I haven't been the biggest fan of the espadrille look, but red and hot pink?! Let's be honest, I couldn't resist.
Have a great weekend, you guys!

daily routine

What people could tell from my daily routine is that I like to drink a lot of coffee, and I don't like getting up early. What I can tell from my own daily routine? That it's pretty uneventful. But that's why it's a "routine".

Having a 9 to 5 (or in my case 10 to 7) job allows just a few precious hours of free time, and I always try to capitalize on it as much as possible. I spend mornings getting coffee and doing a little bit of artwork, if I have the time. I bring a book with me at lunch to get out of the office and get some reading done. And nights are spent doing all the things I used to save for the weekends.

 I know this might sound like a crazy person schedule, but I hate routine. I like to keep things interesting, and ever-changing - life is too short to let it pass you by.

sunset pattern

The reason I started this blog was to catalog inspiration. I think knowing how people reached the solution is more interesting than the solution itself. What I take away from images I look at or things I see out in the world could be completely different than someone else.

For example, a sunset.

This was what I came up after looking at a simple image of a sunset. (I made it simpler... hah!) What jumps out at you? The shapes? The colors? The calmness and serenity? Whatever it is, catalog it somewhere in your brain, so that things like this are ready to be called upon when you need them.

pretty plates

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Aren't these plates awesome!? And they're all on sale!

something to note

This past weekend I've been obsessed with beautiful people of the past - Ali MacGraw, Jane Birkin and Jackie O just to name a few. Above is a photograph of Audrey Hepburn (always a favorite) from an old editorial.

It's amazing how modern and cutting edge these images are even though they were created in a time where there was no Photoshop, no digital media of any kind. It's amazing what a camera, a little creativity and a great idea can do, eh?

This week brings with it some new opportunities for me. I'm excited to share what I have in the works! I've been busy creating paintings on a personal basis, but I have so many ideas that never get to see paint or a canvas, so it's time to bring those to life. Look out for good things to come!

image source

friday favorite | Workout

Ever since New Years, I really have kept myself in check with eating right and exercising here and there. I feel good after a long run on the treadmill (even though I may not feel good before and during), and it's nice to keep meals balanced and healthy as well.

But summer is coming, or virtually here, so it's time to get serious. I am usually against posting super girly things like this here. This is a place for inspiration, not to feel bad about yourself. However I truly believe that mind, body and soul are all connected, and you have to keep them all feelin' good.

Here is {the plan} I have been following for the last couple days and as I sit here and drink my lemon water, it's really not so bad!