Austin Love, An Utterly Beautiful Blog, Potholders and A Little Profile (AKA Some Random Bits...)

images via The Hotel San Jose

I have been seriously hankering for a little jaunt down to Austin with Bryan and the girlies of late...just a change of scenery, a couple of nights at The Hotel San Jose, sangria on their stellar patio. Heck it's been so warm the past couple of days (78 today!) a quick dip in the little pool *might* even be possible.

And my longing for an Austin fix is only increased by the fact that there's so much good stuff going on down there. First there was Miss Natalie's Canoe pop-up shop (so sad that we missed it) and next weekend, the lovely Abby is curating a pop-up event featuring local artists and artisans at West Elm (which I'm also going to miss...it's just not my month).

Man I love Austin...just so much goodness.



I'm also feeling all kinds of love for a dear friend's new blog venture, Paper Weight. It is beautiful and smart. You have to check it out...

potholder by Stacie Pighin

Ok, a couple more (this is a random post today friends, my apologies)... The lovely ladies at Prudent Baby asked me to be a judge in their very fun "Sewing Machine Double Down" contest. Christine and I were chatting yesterday about pouring through all those fantastic potholders (she was a judge too), and she noted that it made her want to start making potholders.

Me on the other hand, well it just made me want to *use* potholders (i.e. eat)...but then again, I don't really possess Christine's sewing prowess. So there's that.

And finally, a little interview over on AOL City's Best today where I share a few of my favorite spots in Dallas...It's always fun to think about what you love best about your town, don't you think?

A Happiness Inducing Giveaway

my debbie carlos "happy makers"...

When you’ve had a series of bad days (or in my case weeks), you tend to ruminate a bit on the things that do in fact make you happy. (Oh who am I kidding; I tend to ruminate on this pretty much all. the. time.) I’m especially intrigued by the small but particularly bliss-inducing experiences….you know all those little fleeting moments that when added up comprise a pretty darn happy life.

The trick I suppose is in noticing them. I am trying to focus more on the noticing.

When I am noticing, here’s what I notice (in case you’re wondering, yes, I am trying to set the record for the most uses of the word {or some variation of} “notice” in a blog post)... Besides the music in the car with the windows down and the kiddos dancing which is bar-none the primo happy-maker, there’s the art. I always, always feel amazing when I’m taking in or making (albeit not very good) art.

I am smitten with my Debbie Carlos prints, I love my crazy exuberant Michelle Armas painting that Bryan and I got for Christmas last year, I dream and scheme about how to one day obtain one of Allison V. Smith’s photos (I’ve considered selling plasma, they’re that good), I could move into the DMA (truly, I would happily live at the museum)…And then there was that three-day high I was on after our aforementioned dinner at Pete and Lucia's art-filled home.

I am hard pressed to maintain a funk in the presence of good art. I am officially noticing.

So in the spirit of sharing my one of my all-time happy-makers, I’m doing an artful little Friday giveaway (not my normal Friday M.O. but I’ts all about spreading the joy here friends).

The lovely and talented Debbie Carlos has offered up a poster of your choice to two of my readers.

Like this one...

or how about this one...

Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday the 21st at midnight, and I’ll announce the two winners the following Monday.


p.s. Debbie also has some great specials at her shop -- free shipping (including international orders) when you buy any 2 posters and $7 off + free shipping when you buy any 3 posters.

An Artful House (Literally)

Lucia made the light fixture in the dining room plus many of the pieces of art throughout the house. She purchased most of the photography from the brilliant 20x200...


A couple of weeks ago, our friends Lucia and Pete invited us over for a cozy fall dinner, and it's altogether possible that I was a bit of a rude guest.

The thing is, I was completely and wholly distracted by their insanely awesome house... I couldn't stop snapping photos.

The space is magical, filled with all sorts of amazing original art, found objects, vintage furniture and a slew of other interesting things to ogle. It's also completely inviting and warm (the most important part), an absolute reflection of the two highly creative, intelligent and lovely people that created it and their wonderful daughters Felicity and Ava.

It's definitely one of my happy places, so of course, I had to share it with you guys.

The family's office and den...I love Lucia's inspiration board above the sofa.

The master bedroom's gorgeous dark walls... The large framed feather piece was unearthed at an estate sale for $25.

Sweet Ava and Felicity's room is as magical as the rest of the house...

A Few Random Bits...

First up, just some pure, unadulterated "pretty" in the form of this crazy cool macaroon tower. I need to figure out a reason to make one of these beauties -- or given my lack of DIY skills, have one made for me. (spotted via steph)

Next up, this video of artist Caris Reid* talking about her inspirations and creative process (one of my all-time favorite topics). She's so lovely and thoughtful and articulate.

* Caris' "blogger's favorites" post from last summer in case you missed it...

I'm over at Beth's fantastic blog talking about what I'm currently reading (+ don't forget to enter the giveaway for Beth's lovely necklace by midnight tonight!)

And speaking of giveaways (and books), I'm offering up one of my favorite books over on Raising Foodies if you give me the scoop on your favorite side dish...

Ok, that's all!

A Few Random Bits...

First up, like all my other buddies in blogland (i.e. michelle, joanna), I'm completely digging Chance...

That striped dress above is definitely making it on my fall shopping list (post-hiatus of course...actually in the spirit of the hiatus, I'm aiming for a very small fall shopping list this year, think five or so new things, so the fact that this striped dress makes the cut is sayin something).

And I especially love the use of the quote "Simplicity is daring" throughout the Chance site.

Simplicity is daring...

well played Chance.

Next up, Michelle's gorgeous new painting, which (and I am completely humbled and gobsmacked by this) happens to be named, Joslyn.

Totally made my day (month!)

And finally two utterly drool-worthy pools (top via the selby, bottom via remodelista). Man I want a pool in an altogether unhealthy way.

The Summer of Self Improvement...(Or "Class of The Month")

quote from the insanely lovely blog, hearblack, (found via kate)


I’ve been pretty excited to share more details about the flower arranging workshop I took at Bows and Arrows last week with you guys… And not just because it was incredibly fun and the people in the class were witty and warm and lovely and that the shop was fantastic and inspiring and Alicia and Adam (the owners and teachers) were insanely awesome and (you know I have to mention this) the champagne and cheese was yummy. It was all those things, yes, but that’s not why I’m so jazzed to post about it.

No, the most exciting thing about the whole experience (even more exciting than everything listed above) was driving home after the class, on a total creative high (which lasted for several days I have to say), reminded of how important regular hands-on creativity (ideally where you’re stretched a bit) is.

I tend to fall into odd sort of “inspiration overload” creative ruts… I’ve talked about it before, but I think it merits mentioning again, as (at least for me) these ruts tend to surface more frequently than I’d like. All the beautiful blogs documenting perfectly executed projects and meals and parties and the gorgeously styled spreads in magazines and books, while addictively lovely to ogle, send me into a sort of creative paralysis. It’s all looking and no doing, which usually leaves me staring aimlessly into my pantry dreaming of making of a gorgeous meal but instead just ordering Thai or staring at a blank piece of paper and a heap of craft supplies with the girlies with no idea what to actually make.

It’s disheartening really.

Some shots of my classmates in action at Bows and Arrows...

The group's finished products...

My arrangement...I was going for a dark sort of Flemish vibe.

And that flower class…that one with the awesome people at the fantastic shop with the yummy champagne, that class reminded me that sometimes you need some help… See taking a class is different. You’re not going it alone, frustrated that you can’t seem to get the exact outcome you want in your project despite the fact that all the projects you see in print and blog-land are in fact perfect (because "after pictures" are so much prettier, no?)

No, in a class you’re surrounded by other people all hoping for the same outcome but struggling along the way…(and ideally laughing and supporting and making the entire experience infinitely more rewarding and enjoyable.)

So fortified by Alicia’s botanical prowess, I decided to declare this “The Summer of Self Improvement” and fill it with a bunch of other classes to kick-start my creative mojo. On the docket for July -- a batik class and a Polish paper chandelier class, which I’m super excited about, and then in August I’m planning on taking a couple of cooking classes, as my culinary skills are seriously waning these days.

I’ll let you guys know how it goes down + I’d love to hear about any classes your taking or what you do to kick-start your creativity…

Some shots above of the utterly fantastic Bows and Arrows...I want that gold pig. Bad.

Loving...

This supremely adorable (and über creative -- she's a print designer for Anthropologie as well as a textile-printer and fashion designer; he's an amazing painter) couple. (via the strange attractor)

Quite possibly the most genius execution of a Blurb book ever. (It's Emily's handiwork -- of course ;-)

Georgia Gray's colorful, happy, intensely lovely work...

This beautiful, artful Brooklyn shop...total perfection, no?


This completely covet-worth YSL "hippie" bag...love. (via garance)

These notebooks -- Yet more goodness from Studio Fludd...

The sweet handmade dolls from hijkids + Simpli Jessi Dolls -- especially love the vintage Liberty print fabric they used for all the little dresses...

(p.s. -- hijkids is one of my newest Simple Lovely sponsors, but I've long loved her things. See here and here too...)

image via emilie inc.

The genius + super cute (and totally eco) Sea Bags (+ there's a little Sea Bags giveaway going on over at the Willows Home and Garden...)