Floral Wallpaper

Some pretty exciting changes have been happening in my career/social life as of the past few weeks. Not only did I get to go on a pretty classic double date (mini golf was included and I lost horribly!) but the chance to collaborate with a one of my favorite photographers is in the works. We both are over the top busy (who isn’t) but have been scheming some epic shoots letting pinterest be our meeting ground. Seeing we have never worked together before our mutual board is a way for us to see how our styles connect. In my research enabled me to dig deep into one of my favorite blogs, Dust Jacket and found a theme in my inspiration.

Extremely floral wallpaper- even the matchy-matchy is working it’s magic on me.  These photos make me have flashbacks to my first job at a wallpaper/paint store. Tearing out discontinued styles then making  epic collages on my bedroom walls.

Bright and colorful perfect for an accent wall. I have the perfect wall in my house (if I owned it) or found a print truly amazing that I couldn’t pass up.

Navy and spring green

It’s rare for me to find a contemporary article of clothing that I need to try on the moment I see it. I do love me some vintage pieces but navy and green striped shift dress blew me over the other day. Simple design with a color combo I’ve been really drawn to recently. One could think I am reverting to my old school uniform colors in an attempt to deal with getting older. OR it could be it’s the fresh spring green really breathes life into the navy. When telling someone my new color obsession recently they responded ‘how 70′s of you’. Is it a call back from then? Unfortunately the dress I desire is a little out of my budget so I am keeping my eyes sharp while thrifting  for pops of green I can add to my already over populated blue wardrobe.

Modern Macrame

Macrame is making a comeback. There. I said it. Granted I am not the first to declare it but am a big fan. The craigslist/estate sale search for the most over indulgent 70′s piece to put above my sofa (don’t tell my boyfriend) has been on for a bit now. A lot of old pieces have been popping up on etsy and such but they are not all…. as you say gems (this one for example). Sally England contemporary pieces have me reconsidering buying vintage. I know….It was a shock to me as well. Her designs are simplified and elegant. Really letting the knots have their moment.  No fuss with big beads or fraying rope.  Allowing the space to be versatile and not scream ‘hey I’m groovy’. Ya know?

p.s… if you love macrame as much as i do follow her on instagram. you will not regret it.

Nature Inspired: bernese mountain dog

Los Angeles gets poke fun of for many things but small dogs in big designer bags is one of the most true, kind of annoying one there is (in my opinion). Don’t get me wrong I like dogs just generally not ones I am afraid of hurting if I pet them to hard. To my great pleasure and surprise (for being downtown) I met a full-grown regal Bernese Mountain Dog this past weekend. *note: the pic above is not the dog I saw but who could resist a puppy pic?*  He was gigantic! Sitting tall and proud in his striking black brown and white coat. What a perfectly balanced color scheme. The brown not being to dark to really offset the two other extremes.

Two different ideas of the same vision. The black brick in the first picture defiantly makes for a moody office but really allows the beauty of the wood to be the focus. Granted the white in that space is being cheated a bit being only in the papers but a nice fresh piece of art work would really add dimension to the wall. The second image has a lighter hand with a copious amount of white leaving the black to play a lesser role. Even when the hue is used it is very faded.  A bold patterned kaftan dress would look amazing with the contrast of the black and brown with pops of white. Oh- the dog’s name was Loo, just in case you were wondering.

 

 

You want me down on earth but I am up in space

A few weeks ago now marked my 6th year living in LA. In truth at times it feels like it was just a few months ago my car was pack to the brim and we made our way across the country from Chicago. On the other hand I tallied up all of my various jobs and parties I’ve thrown and there is no doubt it has been half a dozen years of adventure. In that time I’ve learned that a career take time. Realized that what you DON’T want to do with your life is almost more important than finding that magical profession. Come to terms with the fact that people are on different time lines and I will get married and have babies when it happens and not feel pressure to settle. To make my life one I will look back on with no regret.

When I am feeling a little bogged down by it all I play ‘I don’t care’ at top volume, on repeat. The line I scream at the top of my lungs :

‘You’re on a different road, I’m in the milky way
You want me down on earth, but I am up in space
You’re so damn hard to please, we gotta kill this switch
You’re from the 70′s, but I’m a 90′s bitch’

Mad Style

Confession: I have a slight obsession with Mad Men. From the very first episode I devoured  the splendid color and vintage eye candy of every shot. From Betty’s plaid kitchen to the chairs in Don’s office (which I have at my dining room table) to Joan’s whistle necklace: everything seem to have a reason for being there. Another confession: The first thing upon waking up on Wednesdays is read Mad Style, a blog post breaking down the previous episode in insane detail with just the right amount of sass. Explaining the historical accuracy, why the character would choose those colors or patterns for the scene and general purpose of storytelling through costume. I’m  honestly not doing it justice. you MUST check it out. It will change the way you watch the show. (you’re not? I mean… you have to!). The only bad thing is that it is a new read for me, only this season. So now I take a trip down memory lane and rediscover my love for the first few years.

Creaking floors and drafty windows

Life always seems to be two gears: 1. the warm up, leisure time for day dreaming and catching up with friends. Always secretly hoping for new projects to come on. Getting one self organized for when you slowly transition into a new routine. Then there is 2. the crazed zone, a blur of days where you don’t know how you got everything done because you don’t really remember doing it. When one week passes of not seeing a favorite person and it feels like a lifetime. Does the happy medium exist? May isn’t even technically here and yet it is solidly booked. Okay- It may seem like I’m complaining… but I’m not. I’m simply taking a moment for perspective and realize that the cool down zone will come too soon.

Yesterday was a rare night where I finished my work early and could spend some time on making my business better. I took to my little studio with a drill and level and put up a curtain rod on the best photo taking/afternoon light wall possible. Why a curtain rod? Well to make/sew cool backdrops for little vignettes of course. Having my own creative space is amazing but am always dream of the day where I have an industrial space: creaking wooden floors, drafty windows, exposed beams. Katie, a freelance painter, studio is just my style. Light filled and roomy. Want to see more? Check out Katie’s blog but also more about her studio on A Beautiful Mess.