That's all.
See more awesomeness here
via Joanna
9.18.2008
Chad Wys
I love these calm, beautiful paintings by Chad Wys.
I recently purchased a few of his smaller paintings from his etsy shop, C. Wys Fine Art, and he immediately sent the kindest e-mail thanking me for my interest in his art. When the pieces arrived there was ANOTHER kind note sandwiched in between the layers; what a nice + talented guy!
I have enjoyed his paintings immensely in my home, the colors are stunning! I can't wait to get them properly framed!
Website here
Etsy shop here
9.16.2008
I Am Not Prego
I just think these are sweet.
Nikki McClure describes her process: "I make my pictures by cutting away at black paper with a knife. The paper becomes lacelike and everything connected. What remains is a paper-cut, just black and white. Color and text are added later. My words are letter-pressed or cut out by hand."
Is she a creative lady or what?!?
Nikki has bunches and bunches of beautiful pieces for sale here, including this gorgeous book:
Angela Adams
Angela Adams has the most charming home, I love all of the natural objects (those plants!) and the bold patterns + colors. Just lovely.
Check out the entire Sneak Peek here.
Via Design*Sponge
9.15.2008
Goodies Galore!
I know, I know....THESE ARE EVERYWHERE!
But, they sure are pretty! I can justify almost anything as long as it's pretty :)
And I officially have a girl crush on Amy Atlas. (Don't tell Amy Butler or Nigella)
first spotted on Room Somewhere
9.11.2008
Happy Hippie Thursday + Friday
Remembering 9/11 has me at a loss for words. How do I go about talking about something so painful, fearful, intensely personal and at the same time so intensely universal?
The only words that seem to suffice are,
Thank you.
Here's to creating a peaceful tomorrow through the compassion of today.
I'm taking a long weekend, so I won't be seeing you until Monday. Thank you for reading + sharing, and Happy Weekend!
9.10.2008
Stylist and Illustrator + Musician = Awesome
This funky house has been popping EVERYWHERE in blogland, and for good reason. Cheri Messerli and David Rager are both incredibly creative, talented people, and serious cuties to boot! Their unconventional style practically screams, "screw you, white tailored couch and IKEA." And I find that incredibly refreshing.
I'm really inspired by this origami sculpture, I'm thinking something similar for our bedroom.
Teeny tiny bunting! I don't think my heart could be happier!
I told you they were cuties :)
via black eiffel and cup of jo
I'm really inspired by this origami sculpture, I'm thinking something similar for our bedroom.Teeny tiny bunting! I don't think my heart could be happier!I told you they were cuties :)via black eiffel and cup of jo
9.08.2008
Photos, As Promised
Hello!
Here are the photos of our new clutter-free living room! So sorry they are so crazy and so few, I was balanced on my antique rocking chair, back pressed against the farthest wall from my subject, with my daughter clamoring up my leg...
I'll try again soon. Hopefully during nap time.
Speaking of homes, I've been meaning to post about Joslyn's groovy+super inspiring home. She is a seriously talented lady, and she sometimes reads my blog and leaves the nicest comments, which makes me happy :)
So check out her house here.
and her pretty pretty blog, Simple Lovely, here.
Here are the photos of our new clutter-free living room! So sorry they are so crazy and so few, I was balanced on my antique rocking chair, back pressed against the farthest wall from my subject, with my daughter clamoring up my leg...
I'll try again soon. Hopefully during nap time.
Speaking of homes, I've been meaning to post about Joslyn's groovy+super inspiring home. She is a seriously talented lady, and she sometimes reads my blog and leaves the nicest comments, which makes me happy :)
So check out her house here.
and her pretty pretty blog, Simple Lovely, here.
More Breathing Room
The Swan family has officially lightened their load!
Our yard sale was a bit slow going, we made about $50 and I was worried about hauling everything to the donation center, but then we posted a FREE sign and everything disappeared in minutes. Even the broken futon frame. And the ancient, incredibly heavy and awkward treadmill.
FREE signs are magical signs in this neighborhood.
We spent the entire weekend moving, and cleaning, and rearranging, and now we are exhausted. But organized(ish). One more bottle of cleaner and another trip to the donation center and we will be clutter free!
Sorry there aren't any photos today, I was so anxious to get started that I completely forgot to take pictures. Since I'm always sucker for a good before and after, you can only imagine my disappointment. I'm taking the photos this afternoon, so when I post them tomorrow you'll just have to imagine the disheveled horror that once was our apartment.
In meantime, you should check out Yard Sale Bloodbath, it's a hilarious blog all about yard sales, the crazy things/people they encounter, and their sweet finds.
Our yard sale was a bit slow going, we made about $50 and I was worried about hauling everything to the donation center, but then we posted a FREE sign and everything disappeared in minutes. Even the broken futon frame. And the ancient, incredibly heavy and awkward treadmill.
FREE signs are magical signs in this neighborhood.
We spent the entire weekend moving, and cleaning, and rearranging, and now we are exhausted. But organized(ish). One more bottle of cleaner and another trip to the donation center and we will be clutter free!
Sorry there aren't any photos today, I was so anxious to get started that I completely forgot to take pictures. Since I'm always sucker for a good before and after, you can only imagine my disappointment. I'm taking the photos this afternoon, so when I post them tomorrow you'll just have to imagine the disheveled horror that once was our apartment.
In meantime, you should check out Yard Sale Bloodbath, it's a hilarious blog all about yard sales, the crazy things/people they encounter, and their sweet finds.
9.05.2008
Happy Hippie Friday
Hello, hello!
It's been a loooooooong time since the last Hippie Friday, and it feels good to flex my old vegetarian, environmentalist, groovy, peace lovin' muscles again!
As I mentioned earlier, I recently purchased the new Apartment Therapy book and I've been pouring over the brightly colored pages, completely blown away by the creativity and love these people have for their homes.
The creator of Apartment Therapy, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, opens the book with this quote:
"In my work as a teacher and interior designer over nearly fifteen years, I've seen that the importance of the home in our lives has only increased. I used to think of home as the place where we cook, eat, and sleep. I now understand it as a force that shapes our daily lives. More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams."
Isn't that lovely? It is with this manta that these beautiful homes were collected for this wonderful book. It is truly inspiring to see these tiny spaces transformed into perfectly functional, creative spaces that feel completely spacious.
Spacious at 400 square feet ?!?
We are pushing 375 square feet in our apartment and we NEVER feel spacious, I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we try to pack into our tight quarters. No amount of organization, or clever storage techniques can create the open feeling I'm craving.....or can it? What if I were to get rid of everything we weren't using regularly, or that we didn't absolutely love? What if I were to finally LET GO of the stifling amount of stuff we have piled and shoved and packed away forgotten?
In yoga, there is a practice that helps you create space inside of yourself. It encourages you to let go of negative thoughts, quiet your mind and open your heart. When you have this open space in your mind you are able to just be and you are able to fill the space with love. I want to do the same thing to my home in a physical sense. I want create a space where I can just be.
Yoga for our home, am I crazy?
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan also writes:
"By taking care of your home, you are taking care of yourself. A healthy home will nurture and support you."
So starting tomorrow I am shedding our extra layers.
Every item has to pass this test:
1. Do I love it?
2. Do I use it every month?
3. Is it worth packing and moving across the country?
If it doesn't pass the test it gets the boot, all the way to the yard sale we are hosting tomorrow. Whatever we don't sell will be packed up and donated, NOTHING will make it back in the house. This is a huge project, but I'm excited to see the results! I'll post the pictures and results on Monday!
Happy weekend, everyone! Thanks for reading and for your comments, they make this little blog of mine feel more like a conversation, and that makes me happy.
It's been a loooooooong time since the last Hippie Friday, and it feels good to flex my old vegetarian, environmentalist, groovy, peace lovin' muscles again!
As I mentioned earlier, I recently purchased the new Apartment Therapy book and I've been pouring over the brightly colored pages, completely blown away by the creativity and love these people have for their homes.
The creator of Apartment Therapy, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, opens the book with this quote:
"In my work as a teacher and interior designer over nearly fifteen years, I've seen that the importance of the home in our lives has only increased. I used to think of home as the place where we cook, eat, and sleep. I now understand it as a force that shapes our daily lives. More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams."
Isn't that lovely? It is with this manta that these beautiful homes were collected for this wonderful book. It is truly inspiring to see these tiny spaces transformed into perfectly functional, creative spaces that feel completely spacious.
Spacious at 400 square feet ?!?
We are pushing 375 square feet in our apartment and we NEVER feel spacious, I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we try to pack into our tight quarters. No amount of organization, or clever storage techniques can create the open feeling I'm craving.....or can it? What if I were to get rid of everything we weren't using regularly, or that we didn't absolutely love? What if I were to finally LET GO of the stifling amount of stuff we have piled and shoved and packed away forgotten?
In yoga, there is a practice that helps you create space inside of yourself. It encourages you to let go of negative thoughts, quiet your mind and open your heart. When you have this open space in your mind you are able to just be and you are able to fill the space with love. I want to do the same thing to my home in a physical sense. I want create a space where I can just be.
Yoga for our home, am I crazy?
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan also writes:
"By taking care of your home, you are taking care of yourself. A healthy home will nurture and support you."
So starting tomorrow I am shedding our extra layers.
Every item has to pass this test:
1. Do I love it?
2. Do I use it every month?
3. Is it worth packing and moving across the country?
If it doesn't pass the test it gets the boot, all the way to the yard sale we are hosting tomorrow. Whatever we don't sell will be packed up and donated, NOTHING will make it back in the house. This is a huge project, but I'm excited to see the results! I'll post the pictures and results on Monday!
Happy weekend, everyone! Thanks for reading and for your comments, they make this little blog of mine feel more like a conversation, and that makes me happy.
9.04.2008
Namaste
My life has been a little hectic these days, and I'm desperately missing my regular yoga practice. My body is exhausted and my mind is jumping and running to and through every possible thought/project/solution. During all of the craziness I often forget to take a deep breath, quiet my mind, and focus on what I'm truly trying to accomplish.
I haven't renewed my year-long yoga membership with It's Yoga because our little family will be moving in the spring to Somewhere Undecided for graduate school, and I've been struggling to stay on top of my daily practice.
There are tons of tools available to keep me on track, and my favorite by far is Yoga Today, a high quality, one hour yoga class that is different every. single. day. I owe Jane Maynard a HUGE thanks for the wonderful post she did on Yoga Today during her week as Guest Mom on Design Mom.
I've included the video they have available today, Awakening the Rook Chakra, and it's excellent, I hope you check it out!
Have a happy Thursday! I'll be back tomorrow with a Hippie Friday post!
9.03.2008
I'm it! I'm it! I'm it!
I know everyone is so over the whole tagging thing, but I don't care, this is my first time!
A big thanks to super cool Melanie, from You Are My Fave, who always makes me feel super cool, too.
Here I go...
What are the last three things you purchased?
1. The new(ish) Apartment Therapy book
2. Green Apple Gelato
3.Watercolor of a lovely lady from Sego Art Center
What are the last three songs you downloaded?
1. Outrageous by Paul Simon
2. A whole bunch of Adele
3. Dan in Real Life soundtrack
What are the last three places you've visited?
1. Cedar City, UT
2. Portland, OR
3. Ummm.....IKEA?
What are your three favorite movies?
1. I Am Sam
2. Bridget Jones's Diary
3. Juno
What are your three favorite possessions?
1. Bob Dylan CDs, books, and DVDs
2. Heirloom rocking chair
3. My tiny vegetable + flower garden
What three things could you not live without?
1. Yoga
2. A good bra
3. My daughter's afternoon nap
What would be your three wishes
1. That I could be a chef, yoga instructor, interior designer/stylist, master gardener, art museum curator, and a good mom, simultaneously.
2. That I could take my family to live abroad.
3. That I could magically try out other people's lives for awhile.
What are three things you haven't yet done?
1. Watched the Harry Potter movies
2.Taken a yacht around the Mediterranean
3. Given birth in a hospital
What are your three favorite dishes?
1. Roasted fig, leek, rosemary, and blue cheese pizza
2. Beet salad
3. Panna Cotta
Name three things that freak you out.
1. The dark
2. Eyeballs
3. Factory farmed meat
Name three unusual things that you are good at.
1. Directions
2. Centering things (picture frames, furniture, anything on paper...)
3. Making frosting
What are the three things you are currently coveting?
1. Amy Butler's home
2. Antique French Sunburst Mirror
3. Cecily boots from BR
I tag anyone who hasn't been tagged, mainly because I think everyone has already had the chance to do it. If not, consider yourself tagged and LET ME KNOW! I would love to read more about all of you!
9.02.2008
So Talented
Ummm.....did anyone happen to see fashion designer Vanessa Bruno's stunning Parisian apartment in the latest Domino?Yeah, me too.
It's so pretty my heart hurts.
photos from Sanctuary
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