inspiration | the wythe hotel

Whenever I daydream, I usually daydream about New York City. It's something I've done for as long as I can remember. And as you know, daydreams often lead to surfing the web. During one particular heavy hour of mind wandering, I stumbled across a future destination of mine - The Wythe Hotel.

I only supplied one image above of this beautiful, warm, minimalistic space, because I urge you to click the link to find out more. Go on a daydream of your own. :)

bonjour

Question - Would you wear these shoes?

If the answer is "Yes", then I say to you "RIGHT ON!" 

If the answer is "No", then I say to you "I know, right?".

Design is a funny thing sometimes. I've learned that you appreciate great design without actually liking it. (The same can be said for people, things, ideas, etc.) As someone who is constantly looking to expand my horizons, learn new things, experience experiences, I'm always wondering, "Do I actually like this?" or is it more that I just appreciate this? I appreciate the time, the energy, the creativity, sure, but would I put these crazy shoes on my feet?

Sorry if this post is too deep for Monday night. It's been a while!

{image credit}

boots made for walkin'

I have a rule regarding {my Pinterest account} - I only pin what I really, really love. It has to be aesthetically pleasing, unforgettable art, products, or imagery that are truely inspiring.

I found {these boots from Free People} on Pinterest and as you can see, they have inspired me to use them both in my painting and in real life.

d.i.y. macarons

Call it a New Years Resolution or a key item on my bucket list. Call it whatever you want, but just know that somehow, over the last three or four years of my life, I've had a dire need to learn how to make AND perfect french macarons.

I have attempted the process {with friends} but making them on your own is a whole different beast.

Yet what I've discovered over the last few months is how much fun creating things in the kitchen can be. Sure, it's a challenging and tedious process, but I'm no stranger challenges or tedious endeavors.

I never really thought about it before, but the kitchen is much like a canvas. Slight tweaks, trying again, starting over, messing up, getting it right - these are all things that we would all benefit from getting used to. Not only as artists or pastry chefs, but as people living and learning each day of our lives.

Call me crazy how deep this post got, but I've had a lot of time to think this last week! And yes, I have perfected the french macaron. And yes, be on the lookout for an exciting new business venture I'm working on ;).

selfies are embarrassing

What else are you supposed to when there are hexagons on the mirror, and you're waiting for your sister to come out of the dressing room?

I'm sorry I've neglected you, blog. You're my favorite creative outlet. A great escape. I've just gotten my hands dirty in so many different things in the last couple weeks, that it's hard for me to sit and concentrate on any one thing.

Books are overcrowding my nightstand, I've been making stuff in my kitchen (which is this new hobby of mine), I've been enjoying the unpredictable weather - there is no shortage of inspiration, just a shortage of time.

I hope to give you a taste of some of the new things that make me tick, every day this week!

places to go | Grosse Pointe Florist

{Grosse Pointe Florist} is nestled in between gorgeous homes, in a pretty obscure place in my hometown of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I'm not sure how/why they're allowed to exist smack-dab in the middle of neighborhood, but there they are. It's a perfect stop on the way home from less charming errands like getting gas or going to the bank.

Get your mom, BFF, or girlfriend a bouquet of tulips. Ask for extra ribbon. Trust me.

featured on | The Cubicle Refugee

I had the best day today. While browsing through {The Cubicle Refugee}, I did a double-take. Then I did a triple-take, because I spotted my own original work on her webpage.

Jen, the curator of Cubicle Refugee, is known for gathering someone of the most original and unique content on Tumblr.

I've been a fan of hers for a very, very long time, {as seen here}. To see my work handpicked by this talented lady was surreal to say the least!

a bold spring

Wearing pastels in a Michigan thing is tough thing to get away with.

The weather is super unpredictable when it's not freezing, and everyone still wears their black down jackets over everything up until the beginning of May, just in case. Nothing looks more ridiculous than a pastel spring ensemble with a heavy down coat.

That's why I opt for saturated pastels. Bold colors that are a nice change from the neutrals of winter, but don't look out of place in 40 degree weather. Here's what I'm talking about:

1. {Sabine Elephant Bangle} 

2. {Winter Kate Gold Long Sleeve Blouse} 

3. {Michael Kors Runway 3 Hand Watch} 

4. {Danielle Nicole Peyton Satchel} 

5. {Sperry Topsider Delancy Shoe}

^^ All these items are from {Piperlime}. I love that site! ^^

keep it tight

Above is my attempt at some handwritten typography. I've always had an itch to write in decoratives fonts.

Whether it be taking notes at my current job or decorating my planner in high school, the highlighters would come out and too much time was spent making a word like "Monday" or "homework" far more visually appealing than the meaning itself.

Inspiration | Girly camping

I read an article a couple months ago about using retro-camping as inspiration for decorating a living room. The idea sounds crazy, but the room had awesome rustic details, Hudson Bay blankets, even a cool lighting fixture that looked like a tee-pee.

This spread in {Rookie Yearbook One} reminded me of that, except with a super girly twist. Patches, sashes, collared shirts, berets - maybe I won't be following this fashion receipe to a tea, but I'm definitely going to draw inspiration and use it... somewhere... at some point... right?

Sometimes cataloging things you love "just because" can come in handy for those days when it seems like nothing is exciting you.

easter eggs

This Easter is going to be pretty low-key and I'm totally OK with that. This year will be staying at home and not visiting family like we usually do (which is a total bummer), but I'm not letting my favorite tradition be passed over just because we won't be entertaining company.

Dying Easter eggs instantly produce some of my favorite (and funniest) childhood memories. My dad and sisters would have big plans for gorgeous eggs every year. Very quickly, someone would think it would be HILARIOUS to take my precious egg(s) and dunk them in all the colors - leaving them a marbled brown hue. I would cry. But then I would laugh, because it's just an egg after all.

However, if that happened today I would most definitely cry. Once again, I have big plans. I'm planning on loading up on sharpies this year, and have cut out some of my favorite patterns to try to recreate on pastel-dyed eggs.

Stay tuned for some "Before & After" egg dying pics on my {Instagram account} sometime in the next week!

{image source}

I'm a big fan of mixing and matching. But unless you follow some type of lose guidelines, your look could end up being all over the place. Here are a few ways to look like you put some thought behind the madness:

1. {Wayfarers} - Match your hair to your sunglasses.

2. {Clutch} - Match your nailpolish to your clutch

3. {Shoes} - Match your shoes to your skintone

Does this make sense?
Or is this completely ridiculous to everyone but me?

T.G.I.F.

I feel like these last couple weeks in March are like the calm before the storm. St. Patrick's Day is Sunday, but other than that, I don't really have any plans. The weather is going to be terrible (ONCE AGAIN), so I might as well catch up on sleep, sketch in my bed while watching Netflix, and make an epic breakfast or two.

HAPPY FRIDAY, you guys!

{image credit}

inspiration | charlotte audrey owen-meehan

Sure! Her tumblr's name is a mouthful, but {Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan}'s blog deserves to be memorized. It's a delight for the eyes and it's a perfect place to spend your free-time this spring.

All of the images are simple items placed on pastel backgrounds transform from silly objects to sophisticated works of art. I wish I could pin the {archive view} and just be done with it because I'm obsessed with every. single. post.

art | Sweet Macarons

It was only a matter of time before my favorite thing (french macarons) would infiltrate my favorite activity (painting). I've fallen in love with this painting that I recently completed - the bright colors, the subject matter, the delicate but punchy overall look and feel. This painting would look great in a collage of other vibrant photographs or works of art.

You can purchase it {here}.

art I love | Elise Werbler

I happened upon {this post} by The Jealous Curator and basically wrote my blog for me today. The things that come out of simple concepts, like birthstones, never ceases to amaze me. What a cool birthday gift this would be for a friend, eh?

book review | "Grace: A Memoir" by Grace Coddington

I first met Grace Coddington when I watched "The September Issue" back in 2007. Being the creative director of Vogue (and direct subordinate to Anna Wintour), I was inspired by tenacity and confidence in the documentary, but that pales in comparison to what I feel about her now after reading {her memoir}.

Grace Coddington's book is filled with anecdotes about her childhood, her professional endeavors, and a candid look at her personal relationships. However, after finishing the book this weekend, what struck me was the commitment she has to her craft.

She admits several times throughout the book how sensitive she is, how personally she takes criticism, and how she shys away from social occasions, but underlying these insecurities is an unwavering belief in herself and her own vision.

I recommend it to anyone who loves fashion, New York, or cats.

the finish line

We've reached it, you guys. The finish line of February is upon us and I'm more than ready to cross the threshold into March.

This weekend will be spent working towards that are much harder to accomplish than just ripping pages off of a desk calendar. Things like running a half-marathon this summer, organizing my room, and putting more money in the ol' bank account are goals that take much more effort to accomplish.

But step-by-step, week-by-week, we all get closer right?

Happy weekend!

things I love | Ranunculus

I'm a girl, so I was born with the "I love flowers" gene. Even if I was a dude, I'm pretty sure I'd still love a fresh bouquet on my nightstand. Because really, who doesn't?!

However, since it's February in Michigan, high-quality flowers are hard to comeby. I've remedied that problem by looking at low-quality pictures of flowers on the internet. It doesn't really have the same effect, but it has taught me a thing or two about which flowers I like and which I hate.

Ranunculus are definitely flowers that I love. They look like roses, but they're fuller and crinklier (and they were mentioned on Downton Abbey). These will definitely be added to my list of flowers I want at my wedding. Can you imagine these in white? Gorg!

boy meets girl

Garage-sale art is a fine art. Sifting through pieces of trash in hopes of finding a treasure can be such a daunting task. But if you stick with it, the things you come across can be amazing. The mix of high-and-low does not only apply to wardrobes. Oftentimes, interior design lends itself perfectly to this concept, as well.

How great are these two pieces I came across? Would you believe they both can be found at a local resale shop? Such a great find!

an unlikely pair

One of the biggest things that draw me out of creative slumps, is thinking of two ideas that seem to be polar opposites and smush them together. It's amazing how many things work together. Colors, ideas, outfits, heck even people are sometimes the most unlikey of pairings, but somehow they work really well together.

Seen above is two images I love. I didn't know how awesome they would look together until I threw them in Photoshop. Now the inspiration is endless - Clouds of a magnificent yellow, a smokey texture with a text overlay, a painting of a sunrise that is crinkled and a bit destroyed, a light denim jacket with a pop of neon underneath with some black ballet flats. I hate to say the following cliche, but it's totally true:

"The possibilities are endless"

Have an awesome weekend!

live like it's your birthday

My birthday isn't for months, but I stumbled upon this while perusing i-D magazine on my lunch break. Good advice!

{image credit}

new hobby

{1. Pear Pizza with Chevre and Pistachios}

{2. Spinach & Baked Egg Galette}

{3. Banana Coconut "Ice Cream"}

{4. White Chocolate Rocky Road}

I've recently started doing something I've never done in my entire life - cook. And bake. Cook AND bake. I've attempted simple recipes in the past, but brutally failed. Those few failures turned me off to the entire thing, until now.

I made a Lenten promise to eat "cleaner" and "smarter".  I want to know what goes into my food. I want to consume the best ingredients possible, adding minimal preservatives. Ideally (and eventually), if it comes from a box or a bag - I don't want to eat it. 

The only way I can try to keep this promise is by cooking and making my meals in my own kitchen. I've attempted a couple difficult recipes this weekend and surprisingly, DID NOT fail. Above are the next recipes I want to try. Sure, White Chocolate Rocky Roads aren't the healthiest thing in the world, but it feels better than eating a store-bought Kit Kat bar.

february friday

There's something about mid-February that just makes me want to chuck everything and coast right into spring. This week has been chilly, but sunny. It's very reminiscent of those last days in winter when the crisp is still in the air, but there's a feeling that something warm is just over the horizon.

This weekend will be spent checking out the new spring collections that arrived in stores, making some homemade snacks (since I'm trying to be gluten free for Lent), and getting together a summer reading list. What are you up to?

{Image Source}

fashion week for fall 2013

Every winter and indian summer, I spend a week not paying attention to much except what's going in New York City. Fashion week propels me to be glued to my phone, hungrily searching for any detail about my favorite designer's latest collections. This season is no different, except for one thing. I've turned my attention slightly off the runway, and turned it towards street-style.

{Jak and Jill} is my favorite place to check out the latest street style from around the world. The images that are collected are memorable and one-of-a-kind. I suggest you check it out.