+ PUT A FLAMINNNGOOO ON IT

 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |

Doesn't seeing a flamingo on something just immediately make you feel happy?  As summer approaches us, I am seeing them grace more items in the stores.  Above are some fun picks in case you need some flamingo in your life! 

1 | Would be really cute next to a candle on the patio this summer!

2 | Such a playful bag to pack up your makeup essentials- and wouldn't look too shabby displayed in the bathroom

3 | How fun would it be to get your organize on with this funky organizer? 

4 | Spice up passing the salt with these shakers...

5 | The classiest of all things flamingo.  A gorgeous print for your wall.

6 | A preppy tie for a summer wedding.

7 |  The bathroom just got a little bit brighter & your hands a little bit happier.

8 | You can't go wrong with anything flamingo by Lilly P.

9 | Nothing screams summer like a flamingo suit.  Purchased this one a few weeks ago and love it (it's by Pink- Victoria's Secret which means the sizing is super small- go up a size or two)

Have a lovely weekend!

+ LOVE IS

 {one of my favorite verses I painted years back + love how the sun is shining in- even though it's cloudy in SF right now}

This year we decided to forgo any gifts, going out to dinner, etc. to purchase a Nespresso machine.  

I'm in love with it! lattes and capps made in seconds & works well with almond milk!  really frothes it up.

Made Valentine's Day cookies last minute and used almond milk, confectioners sugar and a dash of water for my new favorite frosting and then dipped them in my cappucino this morning (totally fine on Holidays to have cookies for breakfast). 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

+ FINDING TIME

Life has been busy the past few weeks which has left me no time to be creative, organize, style and shoot something pretty to post about.  Well...actually, that's not true, I did get to paint some peonies a little while ago which made me very happy.  I really want to find more time to paint again...

But- anyway, not enough time/creative projects to post any original content except re-post insta shots, or some really pretty bedrooms I saw on pinterest: 

via

Scallops, monograms...I rather be working from here today:

planning to find some free time to get creative asap.

and hoping you're all having a great week and finding some time for yourself- whether that be getting creative or just having some "me time".

p.s.  from now on I'm going to add a fun fact at the end of all posts.

see below for today's!  get excited...

fun fact: did you know that if you turn your i-phone horizontal in camera mode and click the + sign it works like a trigger to take pictures?

all photos from my boards

my gallery wall...

needs this print.

"stuff" grand opening today!

If you live in SF and you're looking for a one of a kind piece, head on over to stuff.  The store is an antique-modern collective with art, collectibles, mirrors, furniture, lighting, garden, stemware, pictures, dishes and the list goes on.  I stumbled upon this place a few weeks ago before their grand opening.  I can't wait to get back and see what they have!  

Here are a few items I shot while they were putting the place together. 

Grand Opening Weekend

Feb. 11, 12, & 13 11am-9pm

Friday 5pm-9pm Champagne, hors d'oeuvres & DJ

Saturday 5pm-9pm Wine & Cheese

150 Valencia Street

Parking too!

twitter & facebook

p.s. would love your vote for the ultimate wedding contest if you have an extra minute today, thank you in advance!

love is in the air.

Lately everyone I know is getting engaged/married and I love finding gifts that take a little more thought then clicking "add to cart" in a registry {although 90% of the time that's all I have time for}. I adore these frames by sarah & bendrix.  Wouldn't they be a lovely engagement or wedding gift?  The best part about them? You can personalize them with their initials, their engagement date, wedding date, etc.  

Question: What are your thoughts on wedding gifts?  Do you prefer fulfilling the couples gift registry?  Or finding something on your own/creating something?

espace pepin.

Back in Montreal , I stumbled upon the most fantastic store, espace pepin.  The second I stepped in the door I felt welcomed and knew I'd be there for a while.  The walls in espace pepin are covered in pieces done by artist Lysanne Pepin, there are custom accessories created by local artists, and unique pieces of furniture.  I had a very hard time containing myself. 

Lysanne took a few minutes to chat with my fiancé and I about her most recent project, capturing women expressing movement and expressions under water.  You can see the paintings in my photographs, but they don't do her work justice. You can see more on her website.  I wanted to take home every painting, every article of clothing, accessory, furniture in that store...but in reality I only was able to take home a few bangles and a couple of cards. 

{my adorable fiancé being very patient}

I've framed the cards temporarily until I can properly frame them. I truly enjoy passing her work daily. They not only evoke memories of our trip, but inspire me daily to spend a little bit more time being creative. 

Hopefully this weekend we can all find a moment to be creative and get some rest...

it takes color to tango...

Recently I started taking Zumba classes.  Tiffany said they were a hit, so I thought I would give it a try. I've gotta say, not to sound too ridiculous here, but Zumba seriously rocks.  I think it literally brings color to working out.  Have you tried it?  If not, I highly suggest you taking it for a spin!  Anyway, on with some color...

I think this bright piece would bring so much happiness to a home. Does it not make you want to paint something right this minute?

Living Etc. July 2010

And I love the colorful art behind this bed, the little boxes on that table, the table itself, and the yellow bed frame are so bright and fresh.  

House & Home

Lastly, I adore the colorful dress forms here...

Living Etc.

Do you tango with colors?

tops the cake

Last week after the Blogger's Ball Event, Emily and I headed over to Mistral for drinks.  There we had the pleasure of meeting Aimee Lee Empey.  Aimee is an artist who just started designing {by hand} wedding toppers and was able to show us a photograph of these beauties on her iphone that night.  Emily & I about gasped when we saw them {thank God for technology}.  I can see them being used on several different styles of cakes {or other desserts} for that special day.  Aren't they fabulous? 

*You can email her here and she'll hook you up.

Craft Hope: Still Open

Craft Hope on Etsy is still open for business!  I finally had a chance to make a purchase today, the above print by Brooklit.  I'm thinking about sending it to Tiffany so she can put it in her new office...with the hopes that she remembers to visit Boston one more time before I go back to California.

I'm thrilled that the proceeds are going to help Doctors Without Borders.  If you haven't had a chance to browse yet, the shop still has a ton of wonderful items for purchase.  It's a great way to help this amazing cause.  Visit here to take a look for yourself.

biker chic

Long ago before the internet and wii, there was a time when kids played outside a lot.  I'm noticing more and more that kids are happier indoors {I'm sure there are millions that do love the outdoors, this is just in my experience lately}. 

via 

Well, I miss those days where everyone hung around outside until the street lights came on.  As a kid in our family, we used to ride bikes until we were forced to come inside.

 

via 

I don't think I ever got sick of riding my bike, I could have biked from California to New York if my parents would have let me.  And maybe because of my passion, to this day I'm drawn to images of bikes.

 

via 

I just parted with a poster {I had for years} of a bike in Paris with a huge bouquet and fresh baguettes hanging out of the basket.  It was torn and I was very sad to let it go.

  

via  

I still think there is something incredibly romantic about photographs of bikes...I imagine couples riding off into sunsets on them and living happily ever after.

via 

At the present time, I would love a cruiser for little rides around town.  Ideally I would ride to the Farmers market and bring home some delicious organic goods and fresh flowers.

 

via

and I'll leave you with this photograph:

Tiffany snapped this one in Salem, MA when she came to visit.  I adore this photograph.  I need to frame it.

Love bikes!  Wish they were easier to store in our tiny apartment! 

Watercolors by Laura Trevey

I finally got my Watercolor framed that I won over at Bright, Bold and Beautiful!  Thank you Laura!  For now it's sitting on my desk, but I need to get it up onto the wall.  Laura has several gorgeous paintings and prints to choose from, please check them out here.

playing underwater

 

 Just fell in love with this art over at rockstar diaries.  New paintings by Casey.  We want one of each, please.

happy thursday!

Janet Hill LOVE

If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you know Tiffany & I are BIG fans of Janet Hill's work. BIG. Love. Love. Love. We both have been meaning to order prints from her etsy site! Some recent favs....

Little Red Riding Shoes

The Sequined Clutch

Hot chocolate

Deck the Heels

Purchase paintings and prints here!

Shaped by Love

"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

My boss and good friend Sue thoughtfully gifted books to Carlee and me. I shipped Carlee's to her last week and she's already dived into it. First off, thank you to Sue for being full of a giving nature, knowing we are always looking for inspirations in every form, everyday.

This book is called, "Living Artfully," written by Sandra Magsamen. You can visit her website here. I'm already loving it and excited to finish it. She gives wonderful insight into the world of art. She explains that art isn't some step-by-step list to follow; it's simply how we live our lives, spreading our love through our own unique expressions of love.
She goes on to say how many of us are afraid to try anything because we may "mess up." But really, how can you mess up something that didn't previously exist? If anything, you just get better through practice!
It's the journey, not the destination that matters we must remind ourselves in our daily lives.
The day goes by so quickly and we get so caught up in perfection, sometimes so much, it becomes crippling. All we can do is be the best version of ourselves, and trust that through our acts of loving through art, we are being true to ourselves.
I suggest reading this book. She gives a myriad ways to express yourself through what you're good at, even if you didn't know you were good at it yet!
lots of love to living artfully!

i must not talk.

I came across this little framed number searching for some inspiration last night. I think all the Chatty Cathy's and Talki-McTalkerson's will get a kick out of this one. I did!

Isn't it great?

Image: Domino Magazine, February 2009

as classes approach...

School starts for me just around the corner...Septemeber 9th to be exact. My days are going to radically change when the date approaches. As I oogled over Janet Hill Studio's art, it made me think studying would be much easier if it was truly this whimsical.

If you look closely, you will see books in this one...