Stylist Selina Lake

First off, isn’t this image splendid? It comes from Stylist Selina Lake’s new book, Homespun Style, which I am dying to get my hands on. I find everything Selina does flat out amazing, don’t you? I am just barely beginning to get my feet wet with styling, and this really makes my heart flutter!

Lotta Anderson of Lotta Jansdotter studio tour on Design Sponge

More from Lotta’s studio tour on Design Sponge

Another favorite lady of mine, Lotta Anderson, shared a peek into her studio over on Design Sponge the other day. What a great idea to use one of those industrial style laundry baskets to organize supplies in the studio! Plus, I am short on book shelves at the moment, I have stacks in the basement just lying around, and my one bookcase on the main floor is overflowing. I am pining for floating shelving to hang above my desk, and I love Lotta’s seen here in her studio.

The French home of Myriam Balaÿ-Devidal on Design Songe

For more color inspiration, did you catch this home tour (linked above)? So vibrant – much more brave color-wise than I tend to be, but I love it! And if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out Nicole’s redesign of Making it Lovely, it is so, well, so lovely. ;)

Stylist Selina Lake

And now the news: I am officially a contributor on Houzz! I have been pulling together product picks for the site monthly for some time now, but they recently contacted me to ask if I would be interested in doing more, and I accepted! This really is a bit of a dream come true for me, because I am making money doing something I love. Wow. So, now you can find me there twice a week, writing two columns – “Decorate with Intention” (see the first one here) and another looking at international interiors. I hope you will come pay me a visit and leave a comment if you like what you see. : )

Looking for something to listen to over the weekend as you knit or work on a craft project around the house? I recently discovered the Electric Sheep podcast from Hoxton Handmade, based in the UK, and I am completely charmed. I’ve been putting it on in the afternoons while Bixby naps and it transports me to the loveliest places in London and beyond, discusses knitting, handmade goodness, and other creative topics. If you have a listen, watch out – it is habit forming!

Well, that wraps up another week here on Lolalina, I am off to thoroughly enjoy my weekend – a fresh haircut, date night, and also lots of new work – a good mix, if you ask me! Happy weekend, xo Laura

(images: linked to sources above)

{via hooray}

We can get inspired by watching this film on the plane.

{Little Brown Pen}

When we arrive, perhaps we can convince Nichole to point us to a superb café for breakfast. After, we could check in to a hotel…

{Paul Ferney}

…but wouldn’t it be even better if we were apartment swapping with Jordan and Paul?

We would definitely laze around in striped tops, lounge shorts, and other perfectly simple things from Chance.

{Little Brown Pen}

 And at night we can walk through the city, and count our lucky stars.

Bon weekend à tous! I will see you on Monday, xo Laura

(images: linked to sources above)

Okay, are we all settled in now? Good. : ) For whatever reason, this past month or two I have felt my vision for the life I want coming more clearly into focus. Instead of vague wants and wishes, I can feel much more deeply what I want and need in my life. In a way, I feel like the hard work I’ve been putting in – to my self, my home, my work – is finally beginning to come together. I’ve found myself easily losing weight and adopting healthy habits like drinking green juice and practicing yoga daily, and then an opportunity that I have dreamed of landed in my lap. For now, I will be taking on just a little more work, but there is the potential to add much more as I have the time, and it has me dreaming of so much more. I can share all of the details with you later, but for now let’s just say that my dream of making a living from my writing is this much closer to coming true. Wow.

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, I am not naturally a winter person. But the value of a real winter is finally beginning to sink in – it is a perfect time to dream and make plans. And it helps to have a little boy who loves snow – pure joy is infectious! I have been taking this quiet of winter as an opportunity to do a lot of journaling and reading, planning for the year ahead. A few things bubbling in my mind: backyard chickens, redoing our front porch, white floors, a vegetable garden, events with the Alliance Française, weekend trips.

Another thing I have found myself rethinking is my e-decorating biz, which (I thought) I was all ready to launch soon. But now I feel I have a much clearer view of my own personal strengths and passions, and I realize I will need to take a different approach to really make use of that. So, it’s back to the drawing boards. But I’m really, really insanely happy about it because I know what comes to fruition in the end will be in line with my intentions, and it will be sure to be even more successful and rewarding because of it. I am so grateful to my “tester”, for putting up with many months of practice, all of the time spent and lessons learned were invaluable.

Whew, well I have rambled on for far long enough. What about you? It’s been feeling a little quiet around here lately (were all of you at Alt??) and I would love, love, L O V E to have you chime in. What is happening in your life? What are your intentions for this year? Thoughts?

Oh, and if you are seeking more visual inspiration, look no further than the gorgeous and creative Norwegian blog Loppelilla. All of the images in this post come from her inspiring blog, are you familiar? If not, go have a look – you won’t be disappointed! (Thanks to Holly for finding her!)

(all images: Loppelilla)

And I found just what I was looking for in Jennifer Causey’s photography and the Little Flower School – utter gorgeousness, yes?

I just adore Jennifer Causey, I get a little flutter whenever I see her credited as the photographer. :) And this month she shot a stunning story on the Little Flower School in Brooklyn for Martha Stewart Living. I think I drooled all over the magazine. Have you heard of Little Flower School? I hope so, because I know if you have you already love these talented ladies and their innovative business – and if not, you will!

Of course there is so much more beauty to be found in Jennifer’s portfolio, it really is breathtaking. Corners of the home, luscious food styling, flowers and friends and all sorts of inspiration. What is inspiring you today? I would love to hear. xo Laura

(all images: Jennifer Causey Photography)

There are two PDF files available to download. The first is a Birthday Calendar (top), which I created because I am terrible at remembering birthdays and I am hoping to improve my record this year! The second is a New Year Intentions Journal which includes two pages – a blank “Letter to future me”, inspired by this annual tradition, and a fun journaling page (shown below) to get your ideas flowing.

I am off now to start my long weekend, and I will see you back here on Tuesday to kick off 2012 feeling fresh and inspired. Happy New Year everyone! xoxo Laura

• Free PDF Download: Birthday Calendar
• Free PDF Download: New Year Intentions Journal

(Printables created by me for the Lolalina blog, feel free to share but please link to this post – thanks!)

While you are at home enjoying your weekend, here are a few fun links to explore:

• Forgot to pick up gift tags? No worries, this huge roundup of free printable gift tags should take care of that!
• If you have an afternoon free this weekend, why not pull out the glitter and bake up a batch of these Cinnamon Bird Ornaments? They are beautiful.
• Need a bit of inspiration for setting your holiday table? I love these “Handstitched Holiday” ideas.
• If it is interior inspiration you are after, have a gander at this cute & cozy Christmas home.
• And if you have a moment to sit and read with a cup of tea or cider, may I suggest this series, For the Love of Film – such lovely interviews and breathtaking images from photographers who still use film in this age of digital everything.
• A few of my recent Pinterest boards you might enjoy: Holiday Love, Home Inspiration, Christmas Crafts, Family Photo Ideas.
• Commando Santa is awesome.

Okay friends, I will be logging off for the most part over the next week, taking a well-deserved break and savoring some time with family. But I will be sneaking in from time to time to share a few fun things, so I will meet you back here next week, okay? : )  Thank you so much for choosing to spend some of your time here with me, I appreciate each one of you so very much and wish you a wonderfully warm and heartfelt holiday.

(image: Leslie Shewring for decor8)

Top row: Flowers by Flores del Sol + Peacock feather as decor in Lonny Magazine (photo by Patrick Cline) + A twinkle light-wrapped branch DIY.
Middle row: Gilded and feathered gifts by Ez + I want to paint my front door with chalkboard paint and then apply this sweet tiding + Love this so, so much.
Bottom row: Antlers warm up a nonfunctional fireplace (photo by stacey brandford) + I want to wear this + I’d like to add this sweetheart to add to the tree this year.

Hello again, my sweet ones! So…tomorrow is my birthday, and I’ve decided to be unapologetic about the fact that I love my birthday. My family has always been big on birthdays, often stretching the celebrations out for weeks on end (it was my Grandpa who was really famous for this), and I don’t see any reason to stop now. Honestly, it kind of upsets me when I hear people (usually women, right?) complaining about getting another year older. Life is a precious gift, and I choose to emphasize my gratitude rather than feel grumpy about getting older. I have so much to be thankful for! With that in mind, I have collected a few lovelies to share, I hope you enjoyed them (linked above). Before I go, I also have a few heads-ups for you, in case you are interested:

Special event alert: Three of the lovelies featured above (Flores del Sol, Shanna Murray, & Odette New York) will also be represented at Melissa & Marichelle’s Pop-Up Shop tomorrow, which will be held in Melissa’s home in Maplewood, New Jersey. If you live in the area please go, have fun & say hi for me! I really, really, really wish I could go! : )
And a cuteness alert: These are the cutest e-cards I’ve ever seen. From Anthro, of course.
And… be sure to check Creature Comforts later today for the new issue of Gifted Magazine – I can’t wait!

Whew! I guess that’s all. I am off to get my weekend started, I can’t wait because I am planning to fill the weekend with loads of little treats. Nothing big or fancy, in fact, this is the first year in a long time I don’t really feel I want or need a bunch of stuff to make me happy – just a nice family dinner, a date with my sweet hubby, oh, and maybe a few extra-long baths, a bit of wine, great music (this?), books, and a few chai lattes. Yes, I will be one happy girl. : ) See you Monday! xo Laura

(images: sources linked above)

We went apple picking over the weekend at Barden Family Orchard, one of our favorite local u-pick farms. It had been raining the day before, and rain was on the forecast again but it held off. That meant fewer crowds and more apples for us, hooray!

The slightly overcast sky and water beading on the apples from the previous nights rain converged to create ideal photographic conditions. The ground was a little mucky, but we didn’t mind. We picked two great big bags full of sweet, crunchy apples – some for applesauce, some for pie, and plenty to eat “out of hand”.

Bixby enjoyed getting a ride through the orchard on Daddy’s back, while I fed him bites of sweet, fresh apple. Yum. The air felt fresh and wonderful after the rain, and I love how dark the tree trunks looked against all of that foliage and the richly colored apples.

Do you go apple picking? How do you welcome the season – do you have any traditions or places you return to each year?

(photos by me, Laura Gaskill)

First up is an artist I admire very much. Honestly, I was a little star-struck to see her in person! Can you guess who it is? ;)

1. Why, none other than Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, that’s who! I could literally hang anything this lady creates in my home and love it beyond measure. And she was so very kind and warm hearted in person. And she has the most adorable, cherub-like baby girl. And her book is making me want to pick up some paints myself, you should definitely pick up a copy if you have any creative inclinations at all!

2. Erin is a fellow blogger, and I am so glad I found my way to her space, Graceful Whimsy. I especially love her fun design boards – interested in the one shown above? Check out the sources here. I still want that For Like Ever poster, all these years after seeing it in Domino!

3. Rochelle Greayer is a talented landscape designer who blogs at Studio G, and I learned at lunch that she has an exciting new project in the works: Leaf Magazine, a fresh new e-mag focusing on outdoor style. Look for the first (free!) issue this Fall.

4. Illustrator Ellen Crimi-Trent is a designer with tons of fun licensed designs under her belt, along with a range of prints for sale in her Etsy shop. I think those owls would be so cute in Bixby’s room!

5. Laura authors the blog Journey Chic, and is dedicated to sharing fashion and decor finds that won’t break the bank – something I think we can all get behind! I loved the Boston art roundup she recently featured, shown above.

6. Julieann of CreateGirl and Jace Interiors organized the lunch – thank you, Julieann! Based in Boston, Julieann runs her interior design company in a very approachable way, focusing on working with what her clients already own, which I find very refreshing.

7. I carpooled to the event with sweet Diana of D. S. Brennan Photography – she also happens to be an extremely talented photographer with a background in environmental science. I love, love, love all of the photos in her birds series. And her new large format prints. And the botanicals. Oh, just go check out the whole shop, you won’t regret it. :)

8. Lovely Amisha is working a day job and designing jewelry by night. She blogs at Gorgeous and Fun Things, and plans on opening up an Etsy shop soon, so keep an eye out for that.

9. Cindy of Pretty Neat Designs is a lawyer by day and crafter in her spare time. She creates beautiful stitched Moleskine notebooks and super cute handmade shoe and laundry bags. And I’m getting kind of addicted to her blog. Her hubby is an artist, and I am planning to visit them in their Somerville studio during the next open studios.

10. Lindsay of Everything LEB shares some great DIY project tutorials on her site (check out her nailhead message board), and I love this recent mood board she created for Fall, shown above…yay for Fall, my favorite season!

11. Desha of The Desha Show, came the longest distance by far – all the way from Vermont – and then locked her keys in her car once she got to Boston, poor thing! Desha runs a blog and produces her own online TV show, where she interviews local artists and other creative types in her area. Fascinating!

12. Dana Garczewski of The Patterned Peacock creates art prints on canvas as well as a range of fabric designs. I would love to hang the print with the butterfly (seen above) in my own house.

13. Kathy Weller of Weller Wishes Illustration & Design creates art for licensing, children’s illustrations, and original art and crafts. Kathy also authors a lovely blog, where you can get a behind-the-scenes peek into her process and inspiration.

14. Last but most certainly not least is Monica of Monica Lee Studios! I had a great time chatting with Monica while we were waiting in line to get our books signed – she has one of those infectiously positive personalities, do you know what I mean? Monica creates fun, fresh illustrations with a touch of whimsy, and her work has graced a number of books.

So, that wraps it up. Above you can see some of our group at lunch – that’s me at the end! I loved getting a chance to meet these ladies, and I look forward to getting together at more events and meetups like this in the future – building connections in our community is so important. Plus, it just feels good to move some of your “online” friends into the real world!

On a sad note, before I sign off for the day, I wanted to share that my husband’s Grandma, Martha Rasmussen, passed away this weekend. She lived a rich and full life that included many years living overseas with her husband, as well as time in northern California and finally settling in Virginia. She was so loved, and I feel lucky to have met her. She is dearly missed.

I just wanted to take this chance to thank each and every one of you who take the time to read this blog – I appreciate it so much, and it makes me feel good to know that we are part of a larger community that has the potential to offer lots of support and inspiration all around. Have a great start to your week, friends! xoxo Laura

(images: linked to sources above; photos of the lunch event taken by Amisha Thakkar-Kashyap of Gorgeous and Fun Things)

Marie Claire Maison via The Style Files

Polka dot market bag + floral oilcloth chair + chalkboard wall + toast and jam = pure joy.

Jo Metson Scott’s home as featured on Design*Sponge

Vintage art + personal photography + shaped mirrors + stacked books = one happy gallery wall.

Jo Metson Scott’s home as featured on Design*Sponge

Colorful tin canisters + great big windows + white walls + floral cushions = a lovely summer nap.

Okay, I am going to unplug now but don’t worry ;), I will meet you right back here on Monday morning, refreshed and renewed and full of inspiration and ideas to share! In fact, on Saturday I am attending a very special event in Boston that I positively can’t wait to go to, and I will be sharing all of the details here next week – you definitely won’t want to miss that!

Enjoy the rest of your week, my dear ones! xoxo Laura

(images: marie claire maison, the style files, design*sponge)