new site | mood board

Designing your own website is overwhelming to say the least. Figuring out your style, what you WANT to be vs. who you actually are, what kind of people you want to attract, all while leaving room for growth is a daunting task.

This blog has been a great way to see the reoccurring themes that I come back to again and again. It takes some time to see how to apply it to a singular, cohesive vision (especially when my tastes range from this to this). It has to send the correct message out to the world of who I am and what I do.

It's a lot of pressure, ok!?

So how do you get there?




Well with any creative project, I think it first begins with self-acceptance. As hokey as that sounds, there are many times I try to change my style, my design aesthetic, what I like and what I feel to try to fit in the mold of what is expected or what is generally "liked" by the most amount of people. But at the end of the day, you are you and you can't help what you like and who you are. Recognize that. Accept that. Move on.

The second is either starting a blog, or a Tumblr, or a Pinterest account, anywhere you can quickly and instinctively start editing what you like and what you don't. The "why" you like something comes later. If you haven't gotten on one of these platforms, I suggest you do! Immediately! Once you see a collection of your images or ideas over the course of a few months, it doesn't take long to start seeing patterns - color palettes, tones, moods, etc. that you are drawn to over and over again. Take all these patterns, mush them together as best you can, and start incorporating them into what you're creating. You'll see what works and what doesn't pretty quickly. It's a real eye-opener and really fun.



The last step I would say would be start living to your true potential. All those big ideas? All that time wishing you were one of your idols? Dude! Just start doing it. Start BEING that person you want to be. Like for me, I always wished I was the person that had time to eat breakfast, drink tea, and do a crossword puzzle by myself on a weekday morning. So one Tuesday, I got up early, made myself breakfast, drank tea, and attempted a crossword puzzle. It felt good! It felt authentic! It makes the content I produce and the life I'm living feel inherently aspirational, yet also attainable. Because I aspired, and then I attained! (On a Tuesday, no less.)

So, I'm still in the early stages of designing. As you can see it's a long process, especially when you're taking on the task of doing it alone. I don't mind the challenge, but if YOU have any words of advice, please leave a comment! I could use all the help I can get!

featured on | The Cubicle Refugee

I had the best day today. While browsing through {The Cubicle Refugee}, I did a double-take. Then I did a triple-take, because I spotted my own original work on her webpage.

Jen, the curator of Cubicle Refugee, is known for gathering someone of the most original and unique content on Tumblr.

I've been a fan of hers for a very, very long time, {as seen here}. To see my work handpicked by this talented lady was surreal to say the least!

sketching style

Whitney Port is one of my favorite people. Her style is so courageous. This was an image I couldn't help but sketch out yesterday.

{image source}

a sunny afternoon

There is an area where I live that I feel like people forget about but it's my favorite. It's really quiet and the perfect place to walk around for an hour on a Saturday afternoon. Such a hidden gem.







P.S. Have you guys "liked" {my facebook page} yet? I'm going to be posting all of the custom made work there and keep my blog to more inspiration type stuff. Be sure to check it out if you want to keep updated!

making macarons | Jeff Snow Photography

A long time ago, Sara Snow and I discovered our shared, not-so-secret, obsession with french macarons. I think her fascination comes from the intricate flavors and technique. Mine, however, comes from all the cute fashion girls that eat them.

It's been about a five year love affair for me, and finally Sara came over one night to show me how to make them. Thankfully, her talented husband (and my friend) Jeff Snow, of {Jeff Snow Photography} was there to snap a few pictures.

It helps for one person to stir in the ingredients while another one pours.

Granulating the sugar assures for a better meringue-like texture.

Follow the directions carefully! Precision is the key to making a good macaron.

Things could get a little messy.

Dispensing the batter using a plastic bag makes controlling the flow and shape a lot easier.

Making macarons are time-consuming and a bit stressful - but the results are always worth the effort.

De-fricking-licious.

friday favorite | Branding

I don't fancy myself a graphic designer, so coming up with a logo has proven to be quite a challenge. I wanted something colorful but not childish, fun but still sophisticated.

I came up with this design and I'm really happy with it. I love the modern & playful feel. I used neon pink duck tape to brand paintings I had wrapped with simple brown paper. What do you think?

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!

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 :)

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 :)

whirlwind

This past week has been a whirlwind. I finished up a couple projects that I can't wait to share with you and I had a week long migraine that just wouldn't go away. Staying on task when things get in your way can be difficult, but the results are usually much more rewarding.

This week I'm sharing with you the bits and pieces of upcoming projects and the inspiration that I have found (by not scouring the internet). Sometimes getting offline, diving into old books, magazines, or photo albums is the best way to give yourself a break.

art | Lucky Girl

This is a sketch I was doing while watching "Midnight in Paris". I thought it was appropriate to share. I chose to use green and yellow pastels because sketchbooks can start to look a little boring without a pop of color.

I love fashion from the 1920's. The drop waists and those cute headbands worn around the forehead - to die for! So that definitely inspired this sketch. It still has a ways to go before I get it where I want it, but it's a pretty good start.