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!

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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!

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!