Inspire
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Me, myself and I.
I am an architect. We all are. I create the life I lead, sketching a layout with detailed precision. I was only recently given this wisdom, by my mother. There we sat, one afternoon going over the jibber jabber that is my life and I mentioned that if nothing else, I would welcome and embrace some ease in my life. I just feel sometimes that my destiny and the life I have lead is an overgrown field. Yes, the colors are rich and boisterous and filled with cartwheels, but none the less, incredibly overgrown. Although I am responsible and grounded, I am not a grass is mowed kind of individual. And because of this, the weeds grow high and can be extremely overwhelming and difficult to cut through. As I explained my "need for a lawnmower" theory, my mother sat, patiently, listening. And then, the words spilled out onto the table and splish splashed their way into my waiting ear. "Laura, you chose this path. It is you. If your path were a straight line you would be bored to tears. Whether you realize it or not, you wouldn't have your life any other way." Hmmmm. Is it possible that my mother is right? Is it possible that she might know me better than I know myself? And as quickly as these questions popped in to my mind, they were answered. Yes. And mom, here it comes.....you are so right. It's amazing what helpful insight from people can do for you. An overwhelming sense of relief comes over you, well it did for me anyway. In that brief moment of introspection I finally finally finally...... forgave myself. I have been in "Laura get your life together" purgatory for years. Why is my path so jagged? Why do I desire change so frequently? Why am I never settled? Why do my ideas race through my head like a fleet of wild horses? Answer: Because it's just who you are. I am who I am, and although I feel that self improvement is key and will never stop trying to better myself, I deserve to give my soul a break. So, with that being said, it is with a full heart, that I now give myself a great big bear hug every morning, put my safari pants on and go explore through the weeds......smiling, thankful, and completely entertained. Never a dull moment in my overgrown garden. Thanks mom.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Cow Hyde
I was inspired on Sunday. Who was responsible for this enlightenment? My grandmother......momo. She is fabulous by the way. Absolutely fabulous. A design guru. Ahead of her time. A collector of art. The epitome of style. And a friend. A good friend. Her wing has always been strong, colorful and bold. And in the midst of her leopard prints, red lipstick, and crystal glasses of chardonnay, she taught me, at a young age, about the necessity that are black spiked stilettos and the nirvana of cashmere. Who could ask for anything more?
I have always looked to her for inspiration and found it on so many occasions. Her eye and passion for art illuminates the walls she creates within her home. Each oil, water color, sketch, sculpture are delicately picked from her detailed eye. Her gift is unique. The capacity to peel back the layers, see the artist at work, feel, in her own soul, their lust to create. I have always been fascinated by her ability to take in the entire piece of art, then break it down to it's decomposed beauty. Her aesthetic is worth a mention as well, hell, it's worth an engraving. All of her homes, created and brought to life, welcoming them in as part of her family. Each room filled and mismatched in a beautifully cohesive way, all executed in a fierce expression.
Among this colorful chaos is where I sat on Sunday, comfortable in a cow Hyde chair, sipping coffee and chatting with my grandmother. As we flipped through design magazines and gossiped about the latest and greatest, I inquired about her antiquing quests and how she became so knowledgeable in her aesthetic. Her response? "I just started selling out of my garage. I had no money, but I had a need to express myself through buying and selling art, antiques or things that interested me. I started small and then grew. I eventually realized that this is what I'm good at, people respect my eye and from there I rode full speed ahead and never looked back." I admire this so much. It made me realize that every one's passion is so individual. It's a relationship we build with ourselves. Our ways of expressing can not be taught, told or assigned, it comes strictly from within. We find ways to do what we love, no matter what the circumstance.
And through her story, I started thinking about myself, my family, my friends, the people who create in their own way. Whether it's my boyfriend, the foodie, the business owner, the activist who's skillet is a blank canvas, cooks for the love of food and wants so much for those around him to live healthier lives, or my sister, the painter, who's prints and paintings have become annual Christmas cards that I look forward too each year. My mother, the advocate for the arts, who's poise, style and love of old buildings has grown into a career and a respected place in the community, or miss Rigel, the fashionista, who's wardrobe never sees a dull moment. Or Angie, the creative eye, who finds a broken mirror and see's it's potential for a work of art. Carrie, the jewelry designer, the lover of stones and metal or my dear Stacey, the craft aficianado who's love of markers, paints, construction paper and glitter guns never ceases to amaze me. Each one of these magnificent people and so many others who have touched my life, have found their inner spark, their creative juice, their "this is me and only me" freak flag. They, like my grandmother, have embraced what they love and while moving fast and forward, choose not to look back with regret but grow and continue to inspire.
I have always looked to her for inspiration and found it on so many occasions. Her eye and passion for art illuminates the walls she creates within her home. Each oil, water color, sketch, sculpture are delicately picked from her detailed eye. Her gift is unique. The capacity to peel back the layers, see the artist at work, feel, in her own soul, their lust to create. I have always been fascinated by her ability to take in the entire piece of art, then break it down to it's decomposed beauty. Her aesthetic is worth a mention as well, hell, it's worth an engraving. All of her homes, created and brought to life, welcoming them in as part of her family. Each room filled and mismatched in a beautifully cohesive way, all executed in a fierce expression.
Among this colorful chaos is where I sat on Sunday, comfortable in a cow Hyde chair, sipping coffee and chatting with my grandmother. As we flipped through design magazines and gossiped about the latest and greatest, I inquired about her antiquing quests and how she became so knowledgeable in her aesthetic. Her response? "I just started selling out of my garage. I had no money, but I had a need to express myself through buying and selling art, antiques or things that interested me. I started small and then grew. I eventually realized that this is what I'm good at, people respect my eye and from there I rode full speed ahead and never looked back." I admire this so much. It made me realize that every one's passion is so individual. It's a relationship we build with ourselves. Our ways of expressing can not be taught, told or assigned, it comes strictly from within. We find ways to do what we love, no matter what the circumstance.
And through her story, I started thinking about myself, my family, my friends, the people who create in their own way. Whether it's my boyfriend, the foodie, the business owner, the activist who's skillet is a blank canvas, cooks for the love of food and wants so much for those around him to live healthier lives, or my sister, the painter, who's prints and paintings have become annual Christmas cards that I look forward too each year. My mother, the advocate for the arts, who's poise, style and love of old buildings has grown into a career and a respected place in the community, or miss Rigel, the fashionista, who's wardrobe never sees a dull moment. Or Angie, the creative eye, who finds a broken mirror and see's it's potential for a work of art. Carrie, the jewelry designer, the lover of stones and metal or my dear Stacey, the craft aficianado who's love of markers, paints, construction paper and glitter guns never ceases to amaze me. Each one of these magnificent people and so many others who have touched my life, have found their inner spark, their creative juice, their "this is me and only me" freak flag. They, like my grandmother, have embraced what they love and while moving fast and forward, choose not to look back with regret but grow and continue to inspire.
http://www.mohawkgeneralstore.net/ - Amazing.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
White. Blanco. Weiss. Blanche. Bianco.
I've been taken into custody. I was handcuffed and interrogated for my undying loyalty to the "it's actually not a color" color. I'm in a dark dingy room smelling of color confessions and debilitated individualism. But not to worry, I'm as calm as can be. I will not be bullied for my love of the vacant, vast empty beauty that is WHITE. Instead I embrace it, wrap my arms around it and boldly stand against those who believe that white is.....dare I say it....... boring. Boring.....I have tried to rid this word from my vocabulary for years. How could white be boring? How could any color be boring for that matter? I even stand behind Maroon. I have too. I will not discriminate against any color, even if it does in fact remind me of silk pajama pants....and not in a good way. Of course this is strictly a matter of opinion and to those who are Maroon groupies I do thoroughly apologize. And since we are on the subject of apologies and color I would like to take a moment and also apologize to all the poor souls who were subjected to my chestnut brown hair color choice circa 2007. I realize now, my pale skin is NOT a canvas for experimental dark hair dye. Now back to the subject at hand......WHITE. I was inspired to write this post based on my impatience for spring and of course all the things that make living worth while such as..... warmth, margaritas, sundresses, fresh tomatoes, happiness, sun and swimming pools.....not the indoor kind.....they just aren't the same so to my peanut gallery, stop telling me that I can enjoy swimming in the winter time please, I can't, it's impossible. White is such a a representation of the seasons that I look forward to. It is a fabulous way to bring life to a room that has been hibernating all winter. The coffee stains and thick blankets somehow find their way into hiding, windows are opened and out comes that brilliant crisp and clean color. So put your dark room away, hide the key and bring out the BLANCO! Enjoy.
http://www.findingshibusa.com/ - FABULOUS
http://decorno.blogspot.com/2007/09/more-white-hot-rooms.html - this is a fantastic blog
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wanderlust
I have wanted to explore for years. I have this stir crazy wanderlust that continues to gain momentum each year that passes by. I will unveil myself a bit here and admit that one of my biggest regrets in life is lack of travel. I feel this void. I feel a bit empty that I have never really seen the world, seen different cultures. Its as if there is this giant color wheel, filled with such a magnificent variety and I have only seen a few shades of purple. How boring. I find myself so intrigued by other people's stories of travel, yet envious at the same time. Not only do I want to see the world for my own self exploration but I want the hinges of my "out of the box" box to be oiled and not so rusty. I feel so closed off at times from opportunities and inspiration in other cultures. It frustrates me. Of course I know the answer to my woes, just go for it. Travel. See the world through MY eyes and no one else's. Travel can, at times, be intimidating. But, as much as we sometimes hesitate in the face of NEW, we embrace it too. Some of us crave, thrive, consume all that is unknown, different. My soul is an arrow directly down the middle. I do hesitate at the idea of my comfort zone being compromised , but I have taught myself to push through the fear, breathe and just take it on. An unbelievable freedom takes over when you do.
I know, if I take my adventures someday, I will be overwhelmed by the inspiration I will find, not just in design but in any part of life. The things I could see, bring back with me. The colors, the aesthetic, the linens and fabrics. The architecture and fashion. The plates of colorful food, the markets. The smiles of strangers passing by. The way people move, how they shake hands, embrace and enjoy. People's time spent and time lost. Suns setting, how the wind smells and hits my face or those earthly felt scents of the morning. The love between people, even their hate. Who knows?
I once worked at a accessories boutique where the entire collection sold was inspired by items found around the world. I have always admired the owner, and taken her with me every step of my creative way. She once told me that the beauty she saw throughout her life, traveling and exploring was the sole reason she opened her store. I loved that. She wanted to share. Express her gratitude to the places that defined her. And guess what, she was successful at it. I hope to accomplish what she did at some point in my life. Gain inspiration through a narrow street filled with colorful doorways and window panes or an overwhelming piece of architecture. Indulge in a succulent meal made specifically for me and from only the freshest local ingredients, take in the vast beauty and loneliness of the desert or see the ocean from a different part of the world. And mostly, I hope to feel the overwhelming joy of gaining a new view and adding a few more colors onto my color wheel.
Below is some inspiration from the wonderful places I hope to visit and explore someday. Enjoy!
I know, if I take my adventures someday, I will be overwhelmed by the inspiration I will find, not just in design but in any part of life. The things I could see, bring back with me. The colors, the aesthetic, the linens and fabrics. The architecture and fashion. The plates of colorful food, the markets. The smiles of strangers passing by. The way people move, how they shake hands, embrace and enjoy. People's time spent and time lost. Suns setting, how the wind smells and hits my face or those earthly felt scents of the morning. The love between people, even their hate. Who knows?
I once worked at a accessories boutique where the entire collection sold was inspired by items found around the world. I have always admired the owner, and taken her with me every step of my creative way. She once told me that the beauty she saw throughout her life, traveling and exploring was the sole reason she opened her store. I loved that. She wanted to share. Express her gratitude to the places that defined her. And guess what, she was successful at it. I hope to accomplish what she did at some point in my life. Gain inspiration through a narrow street filled with colorful doorways and window panes or an overwhelming piece of architecture. Indulge in a succulent meal made specifically for me and from only the freshest local ingredients, take in the vast beauty and loneliness of the desert or see the ocean from a different part of the world. And mostly, I hope to feel the overwhelming joy of gaining a new view and adding a few more colors onto my color wheel.
Below is some inspiration from the wonderful places I hope to visit and explore someday. Enjoy!
Thailand
Africa
Greece
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Dirt Poor and Fabulous.
Continuous buzzing. My head today. Ugh. It's a carnival. Rapid thoughts Ferris wheeling their way around, hitting each side and then back again like a fish in a fish bowl. I feel like a Picasso painting.... two heads as one, a nose where a mouth should be, eyes on my forehead. There is a particular kind of beauty in this chaos. So I am going to just accept my head as it is today, in it's kaleidoscope of messiness and just write. So forgive the zig zags.......
I'm an accessories person. I just love them. I really do. They can take any boring, stagnant room and just give it a hell yeah vibe that is so great. I mean even with just a touch, nothing extreme, just a splash of something.... transformation. I just recently did this to my own apartment. I threw a few things here, a few things there, hung a few fab pieces of art and boom.....my home was born. So I'm focusing on cheap accessorizing today because like many of you out there.....I am not of a "hearty" financial standing. I have actually started to convince myself that my bank account might be the first known Black Hole of Internet banking. All of my money is actually being pulled through to another galaxy by some magnetic force unexplainable to mankind. Unfortunately the bank tellers don't share my theory. So until I can prove otherwise, plain and simple.... I'm dirt poor.
But alas followers and design lovers, we will not compromise our needs......our need to decorate, design, create and really L.I.V.E in our own space. Our home is our canvas, well it's mine anyway. And I refuse to give up just because I'm broke. Yes, we are capable of convincing ourselves that a $300 pillow is a necessity. Yes, we are capable of believing that without that lamp shade our whole color scheme will be thrown off and anyone who is aware of such torture would understand and support the purchase. And by god, yes, we are ALL capable of knowing that we will purchase the pricey side table that will fit oh so perfectly in that empty corner because we can no longer live with the harsh continuous scream of desperation "FILL ME! I'M EMPTY! DISPLAY SOMETHING HERE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!"
But you know what? Not having that fabulous expensive designer throw (that I saw in a store window the other day, which costs $400 dollars, that would look absolutely perfect on my gray velvet chair) is not going to kill me. In fact, it might actually make me stronger. Stronger in that I walked away from it. I turned away from that window, lip trembling, mind racing WHY WHY??!, and forced myself to research other, cheaper options. These acts of strength have not only helped my financial black hole but have pleasantly made me realize that this kind of research, is, well, it's just so fun. It really is. You wouldn't believe how many fabulous alternatives there are, if you just take a little time. And I'm telling you, you will get lost in bargain shopping la la land. And like all of you, I adore having a home with style, a direct representation of who I am. And like many of you, I tend to be drawn to the most expensive and obscene anything. But guess what, i can buy without breaking the bank. Or, I can be creative and make my pillows, or distress a cheap armourer on my own. I can shop the bargain bin and do it PROUDLY. So I encourage you, fellow creative comrades, design guru's and those who collapse in the midst of those devil disguised price tags..... to take a field trip from your everyday charge card and go out, stand tall, find the sales, dig through the bargain bins and don't be afraid to get your hands fabulously dirty.
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/roundup/roundup-15-thrifty-frugal-inexpensive-ideas-095961
I'm an accessories person. I just love them. I really do. They can take any boring, stagnant room and just give it a hell yeah vibe that is so great. I mean even with just a touch, nothing extreme, just a splash of something.... transformation. I just recently did this to my own apartment. I threw a few things here, a few things there, hung a few fab pieces of art and boom.....my home was born. So I'm focusing on cheap accessorizing today because like many of you out there.....I am not of a "hearty" financial standing. I have actually started to convince myself that my bank account might be the first known Black Hole of Internet banking. All of my money is actually being pulled through to another galaxy by some magnetic force unexplainable to mankind. Unfortunately the bank tellers don't share my theory. So until I can prove otherwise, plain and simple.... I'm dirt poor.
But alas followers and design lovers, we will not compromise our needs......our need to decorate, design, create and really L.I.V.E in our own space. Our home is our canvas, well it's mine anyway. And I refuse to give up just because I'm broke. Yes, we are capable of convincing ourselves that a $300 pillow is a necessity. Yes, we are capable of believing that without that lamp shade our whole color scheme will be thrown off and anyone who is aware of such torture would understand and support the purchase. And by god, yes, we are ALL capable of knowing that we will purchase the pricey side table that will fit oh so perfectly in that empty corner because we can no longer live with the harsh continuous scream of desperation "FILL ME! I'M EMPTY! DISPLAY SOMETHING HERE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!"
But you know what? Not having that fabulous expensive designer throw (that I saw in a store window the other day, which costs $400 dollars, that would look absolutely perfect on my gray velvet chair) is not going to kill me. In fact, it might actually make me stronger. Stronger in that I walked away from it. I turned away from that window, lip trembling, mind racing WHY WHY??!, and forced myself to research other, cheaper options. These acts of strength have not only helped my financial black hole but have pleasantly made me realize that this kind of research, is, well, it's just so fun. It really is. You wouldn't believe how many fabulous alternatives there are, if you just take a little time. And I'm telling you, you will get lost in bargain shopping la la land. And like all of you, I adore having a home with style, a direct representation of who I am. And like many of you, I tend to be drawn to the most expensive and obscene anything. But guess what, i can buy without breaking the bank. Or, I can be creative and make my pillows, or distress a cheap armourer on my own. I can shop the bargain bin and do it PROUDLY. So I encourage you, fellow creative comrades, design guru's and those who collapse in the midst of those devil disguised price tags..... to take a field trip from your everyday charge card and go out, stand tall, find the sales, dig through the bargain bins and don't be afraid to get your hands fabulously dirty.
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/roundup/roundup-15-thrifty-frugal-inexpensive-ideas-095961
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Photographs and weekend laziness
Weekend. What a great word. I've decided to be extremely productive this weekend. Now productive is a relative term in the world of me. But my intentions are good, so that's what really matters right? The procrastination demon will McGuyver it's way into my brain, setting up permanent camp. This typically happens when i'm drinking my coffee, enjoying the paper and completely relaxed. "Hey, why don't I just stay in for the day. I have a million design magazines and nick knacks to look at, or I could just stare at the wall and think about all the things I could be doing" Yep, it happens more often than not, but not this weekend. This weekend I will march the picket line of productivity and stand firm against procrastination and weekend laziness. What is on the agenda you ask? I will parooze antique stores, I will find linens I can't live without, I will buy a wine decanter that I don't really need but need because it's gorgeous. But most importantly, this weekend marks the beginning of a new creative adventure. I was given an old 35 MM camera from my sister, who I often mention in my posts. She is the cheese to my macaroni when it comes to pushing my creative juices and has always supported my artistic ideas and adventures. So, by giving me the camera, she in turn is expecting some results. I have always loved photography. I think it is such an amazing expression. Mainly because it captures moments that are real. The heart beating, inhale exhale moments in life. It captures emotion that you can't manipulate. It's there, it's real, and it's beautiful. I am typically inspired most by photographs of people. Their faces. The lines, the wrinkles, the crows feet, the pours, the eyes.....glaring with some kind of desire or, some, none at all. It's an interesting thing when a photographer can capture someone's emptiness. I also enjoy the idea, like any form of expression, that it's endless. The possibilities. I love flamboyance in any form, photography can capture that so distinctly.
So, now it is my turn. Have I dabbled in photography before? Yes. Do I feel that I have an eye, a natural view of the world through a lens, no. But, who cares. I used to care, but I don't anymore. I don't care if it's good. I enjoy it so why not? That would be my Buddha on the mountain advice to anyone seeking a creative outlet. Who cares if it sucks. Let it suck! Let it be horribly fabulous. Because in my opinion, anyone who has the courage to put it out there has the soul of the artist.
Friends, family, acquaintances who put it all on the line, move past the fear and believe in that beautiful artist soul of theirs. I feel lucky to be surrounded by so much talent......
http://www.markfernkas.com/
http://www.carriehaasejewelry.com/
http://chrisragalie.info/
http://dolangeiman.com/
So, now it is my turn. Have I dabbled in photography before? Yes. Do I feel that I have an eye, a natural view of the world through a lens, no. But, who cares. I used to care, but I don't anymore. I don't care if it's good. I enjoy it so why not? That would be my Buddha on the mountain advice to anyone seeking a creative outlet. Who cares if it sucks. Let it suck! Let it be horribly fabulous. Because in my opinion, anyone who has the courage to put it out there has the soul of the artist.
Friends, family, acquaintances who put it all on the line, move past the fear and believe in that beautiful artist soul of theirs. I feel lucky to be surrounded by so much talent......
http://www.markfernkas.com/
http://www.carriehaasejewelry.com/
http://chrisragalie.info/
http://dolangeiman.com/
Love this. I really enjoy native american inspired photography. The colors of their culture are so rich.....even in black and white.
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