Happy Monday to you! Today I would like to share a fun little assignment that was part of the e-course I am taking. I really enjoyed it, and after hearing about it maybe you will be inspired to take a little break and do one of your own! For each of the photos below, remember you can always click on the image to see it full-size. Okay, here we go!
I created a little inspiration board on the inside of a file folder, the purpose being to bring focus to what I want my blog to be. The look and feel, yes, but even more so I focused on the sort of content and general direction I want to go in. As you can see from the large “draw it yourself” in the center of the folder, one of my major goals for this blog as I move forward is to introduce more original content – be it drawings, original photography, documenting my home decorating projects, travels, design classes, etc.
In this close-up view of the upper right corner, I chose a few images to represent creative spaces and studios, which I would like to feature more of here on Lolalina…and to serve as inspiration for my own workspace! And la tour eiffel is there to reflect my passion for travel :)
I chose this image of a steaming cup of tea and the words “heartfelt & handmade” to remind myself that the little things are often most important, and that what I want most for this blog is that it continues to come from an authentic place in my heart.
And there is my little owl business card! I stuck one onto my collage because although I adore my cards (from here, by the way, and very reasonably priced!) I have yet to give away very many of them! Circling back to my intention to collaborate this year, I would like to get out there and meet fellow bloggers in person, attend events that sound interesting, and generally put myself in more situations where I will have an opportunity to give away those cute little cards – having a big stack of them sitting in my desk drawer isn’t doing me any good! And the image below my card (from a Kate Spade ad) sums up the open, spontaneous attitude that I would love to cultivate!
If you would like to create your own mini-inspiration board too, I would love to see it! Feel free to link to an image on your blog, flickr, etc. if you have something you would like to share!
{images: Laura Gaskill}
Today’s post is just a simple pairing of two images – but isn’t it funny how the right pairing makes each element stronger? I love each of these photos on their own, but together they are somehow more powerful…
Cat by AnyMotion, and Bling by jenny downing
The snowy white cat with those intense green eyes and the glittering jewelry remind me of icy winter fairy tales, sleigh rides, and ice palaces; cold and mysterious. What do they remind you of?
And just a little p.s. – I know I am posting late again today (sorry!), but this time it is because I was working very hard on my first Lolalina Gift Guide! This guide will be inspired by the Domino Holiday Gift Guides that I miss dearly, and I will begin tomorrow with my Luxe Finds Under $25, just in time for holiday shopping this weekend! I have really been enjoying putting these together, and I hope you enjoy them too!
{images: linked to sources above}
Yay! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!! Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays – there is just something so comforting about sitting down with family to a meal that remains virtually unchanged over the years, don’t you think? We have celebrated Thanksgiving in many different places – from my childhood home to apartments, to my grown sibling’s houses – but each meal repeats the same pattern: turkey (and sometimes a lasagna, too, when my Grandparents were around), stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes (with marshmallows on top like my Grandma used to make), green bean casserole and cranberry sauce, hot buttered rolls, pie, and a nap. And just in case you’re packing up to go home for the holiday weekend, I thought I would round up a few cozy comforts to lift your spirits as you take a well-deserved break from work or school…
Clockwise from top left: A comfy-cozy outfit from Saltwater, cute enough for the dinner table and relaxed enough for a post-meal neighborhood walk; Bright little Hable Construction brag books for catching up the fam on your life since the last visit; Super-soft flannel lounge pants and a slouchy beret to see you through your food coma, both from Anthropologie.
Alas, I won’t be with my family in California this year. Instead, I will be joining B’s family here in New England – though I am sure that as the familiar scents of Thanksgiving dinner fill the house and I chat on the phone with my family and friends out in Cali, I will be feeling very thankful for the abundance of love in my life…Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friends! I will be taking the rest of the week off (as is traditional here in the States), so I will see you back here on Monday – and I am excited to share that I have been working on some very special gift guides, so stay tuned for that next week as well! And if you would like to share something that you are feeling thankful for, I would love to hear from you in the comments :D
{images: linked to individual sources above}
Hello there! I am back on my feet (thank you for all of your well-wishes!), and enjoying a particularly glorious day here with that magic autumnal light – all of the trees in my area are now in full, blazing color, and for this California girl it still feels surreal to drive down road after road of tree-lined streets, ablaze with color and light. Even if it was the red of the trees outside my window that got me going on a hunt for all things vermilion, what I really think of when I see this shade is the technicolor red in old Hitchcock films, the phone booths in London, classic film stars with matching vermilion lips and nails, and fields of Dutch tulips. Let it be noted that I am very picky about red. Muddy burgundy depresses me, and too-bold blood red gives me the willies. But Vermilion…even the name sounds mysterious and wonderful. This perfectly clear red-orange is such a happy-go-lucky, optimistic shade, what’s not to love?
Clockwise from top left: An embellished door in Marieke van Proosdij’s Amsterdam apartment, here; Scrumptious rose candies from Celine Steen of Have Cake, Will Travel, here; Vintage 1940s hat from Dear Golden Vintage, here; Amazing wool felt skirt here; Hand-printed pillow from Hazel & Hunter, here.
Happy Monday, friends!
{images: linked to sources above}
We amble down the backroads in your beat-up red truck, whistling a tune and looking for treasures. Pancake breakfast, antiques shop, ceramics studio, country walk, chit-chat, lots of pictures. Home again, unpacking our finds, building a fire in the backyard, hot mugs of tea in hand. A good day.
- Sky rabbit to watch over you by Lemmikkiapina.
- Cashmere plaid throw to snuggle up in here.
- Wheel-thrown pitcher for your maple syrup here.
- Ceramic coasters for your tea here.
- Prince Edward Island print here.
- Folk art candles here.
{images: linked to sources above}
Would you like to indulge in a little daydream with me? Imagine taking the night train to Paris for your birthday, listening to your favorite music on the way. When you arrive, friends greet you with exquisite bouquets of flowers and armloads of beautifully wrapped gifts. There is a glorious party in your honor that lasts until the wee hours, with perfect little cupcakes and other treats; the glittering light from ancient crystal chandeliers and hundreds of candles casting a warm glow…
- Beautiful, special dress for a special night, here.
- Soft leather pouch here.
- Golden stem earrings here.
- Sleek ipod cover here.
- Paris under a blanket of snow, here.
psst ~ I am enjoying the last day of my Mom’s visit; I’ll see you back here tomorrow, okay?
{images: linked to sources above}
I am dreaming of a return trip to Paris. B and I stayed for a few nights on our honeymoon, but there is so, so much more of that magnificent city I want to see and taste and feel – preferably using Pia’s lovely little book as a guide this time around! Wandering through the small alleyways in search of handmade treasures sounds parfait…
Clockwise from top left: Cafe print by naomi to put on your just-so mantel; Felted milk bottle, en français, by Bonté; Paris Crush print by Simply Photo (so you can drool over Ladurée macaroons year-round); Vintage pink leather oxfords that look like just the sort of thing a chic Parisian girl would wear, from brown bag vintage.
{images: linked to sources above}
Hello, friends! How are you doing? And before you take a breath to say “fine” consider reading this post (actually, it’s a vlog) by life coach Michelle Ward about how we can answer that question in a more honest way – I think it is such a breath of fresh air to really consider our answer to that question, even if you are only collecting your thoughts on your own or in your private journal.
As many of you know by now, I just purchased my first home and I will be starting design classes at RISD here in Providence in a few short weeks. And while my life is full to the brim with things to be happy about (and that I am very, very happy about!), it is also scary not knowing where the road will lead. Do you know what I mean? So my little wish for you (and me) today is to find a quiet moment all to yourself to rest and dream and take the time to really listen to yourself. What do you need? How are you really doing?
Also, I wanted to thank you for bearing with me during this transition – I appreciate each and every one of you, and I know that I have been away from my “regular” blogging schedule for a bit longer than I would like! I will be doing some planning for Autumn blog features this afternoon, and I will see you back here tomorrow morning with some lovely shops and inspiration that I can not wait to share with you!
{images: top, luscious cashmere from De*Nada via anmutig; bottom, dramatic barn print from Fey Handmade}
Fiona arrived in London with a vintage suitcase and a tea tin full of treasures. She rented the flat above the Polish bakery and worked in the projection room at the movie theater around the corner. On her days off she liked to eat candy standing up in her kitchen, water her geraniums and make eyes at the boy in the coin-op laundry room.
Clockwise from top left: Vintage pink party dress from Allen Company Inc; Slumrabbit Millionaire print by Fifi Lapin; Ticket Booth print by Moonflowers; Handmade silk bloom by twigs & honey; Pink Letter Card by i. klee design.
{images: linked to individual sources above}
