photo by hownowdesignWe have a huge wall in the living room that I've never been happy with. I'm dreaming of a gallery and wondering if I can get away with filling the whole thing with pretty frames?
July 30, 2009
What To Do With A Blank Wall
photo by hownowdesignWe have a huge wall in the living room that I've never been happy with. I'm dreaming of a gallery and wondering if I can get away with filling the whole thing with pretty frames?
July 17, 2009
Friday Favorites
Yay! It's finally Friday, which means it's time for Friday Favorites. You'll find my favorite links below, and I hope you like them! First things first, though...
As you can probably tell by the infrequent posts this week, I've got a lot going on including rethinking the content/direction of this blog. Many of you write blogs, and you know how exciting, rewarding and, yet, demanding it can be. It's ironic that a blog about inspiration is severely lacking in it. I'm taking some time to think and, hopefully, come up with fabulous new content.
So, that explains the picture posts throughout the week. They're easy and sometimes it really is true -- a picture is worth a thousand words -- so you'll find many more of them in the coming weeks. As I step away, I do want to thank you for reading For Your Inspiration. I love that you stop by here, especially when you comment on something I've posted. There's no better way to make a blogger's day!
A special thanks to Sandy, Paula, Laura and Maggie who have surprised and delighted me by coming back again and again to motivate me with your always kind words!
...and, finally, my weekly favorites. Have a great weekend!
As you can probably tell by the infrequent posts this week, I've got a lot going on including rethinking the content/direction of this blog. Many of you write blogs, and you know how exciting, rewarding and, yet, demanding it can be. It's ironic that a blog about inspiration is severely lacking in it. I'm taking some time to think and, hopefully, come up with fabulous new content.
So, that explains the picture posts throughout the week. They're easy and sometimes it really is true -- a picture is worth a thousand words -- so you'll find many more of them in the coming weeks. As I step away, I do want to thank you for reading For Your Inspiration. I love that you stop by here, especially when you comment on something I've posted. There's no better way to make a blogger's day!
A special thanks to Sandy, Paula, Laura and Maggie who have surprised and delighted me by coming back again and again to motivate me with your always kind words!
...and, finally, my weekly favorites. Have a great weekend!
- DIY Basket Pendant Light from Two Ellie
- Cheerful and Colorful Writing Room from Mama Without Borders
- Price My Space Party at Nesting Place
- Sesame Street Candy Buffet from Hostess With The Mostess
- Vintage Skirt Roundup from Lovely Clusters
July 15, 2009
July 14, 2009
July 10, 2009
Friday Favorite: Link Love
Here are a few of my favorite finds from around the blogosphere this week. Hope you enjoy them, too.
Indulge! Chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake from Wasabimon seen on Cupcake a Day
create a family mission statement on Simple Mom
Indulge! Chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake from Wasabimon seen on Cupcake a Day
create a family mission statement on Simple Mom
July 9, 2009
Can We Talk About Talking About Inspiration?
For the past six weeks, I've had so much fun posting the series, "Talking About My Inspiration." You can read each of the interviews here. I've enjoyed working with each blogger and finding out what inspires them and how they handle the mountains of inspiration that come our way daily.
However, I know asking the same questions over and over can get monotonous. If I were answering them for the first time, I'd have a difficult time trying not to sneak a peek at what other people said and then feeling like I need something brilliant and unique to say.
Maybe that's just me.
I am wondering if it's time to take a break from the series or change it up (maybe ask different questions, make it a monthly column) or just leave it alone. But, I'm terrible at making decisions.
So, I'm hoping you will help and let me know how you feel about this series. I have three simple questions...
Thanks for reading, and I can't wait to see what you have to say!
However, I know asking the same questions over and over can get monotonous. If I were answering them for the first time, I'd have a difficult time trying not to sneak a peek at what other people said and then feeling like I need something brilliant and unique to say.
Maybe that's just me.
I am wondering if it's time to take a break from the series or change it up (maybe ask different questions, make it a monthly column) or just leave it alone. But, I'm terrible at making decisions.
So, I'm hoping you will help and let me know how you feel about this series. I have three simple questions...
- What have you liked best about the series, "Talking About My Inspiration?"
- Would you like to see more interviews from fellow bloggers?
- If so, what would you like to see differently, if anything?
Thanks for reading, and I can't wait to see what you have to say!
July 7, 2009
Photo For Inspiration
What's inspiring?
Sunlight streaming in, paintings casually propped against the wall and a stack of girly umbrellas. I wouldn't mind walking in the rain if I had one of these to hold over my head.
July 6, 2009
July Inspiration Board
Here is a glimpse of what comes to my mind when I think about July. It looks like the theme is color and heat, heat and more heat!
hydrangea photo from mamako7070
raspberry lemonade from Joy the Baker
woven picnic basket from Target
tomatoes photo from gwen
t-shirts from Old Navy
bubblegum necklace from Anthropologie
fainting sofa from Urban Outfitters
- Hydrangeas of any color are my absolute favorite flower. They have big, beautiful blooms and they can last forever.
- I want to sip this raspberry lemonade by the pool or on the beach, because sometimes water just isn't good enough.
- I'd pack the lemonade in this colorful, washable picnic basket and head outside for an early lunch.
- The tomatoes from our garden are coming in by the handfuls now. I know it's summer when my husband tells me every day, "Don't forget you've got plenty of tomatoes to eat."
- The first thing I reach for during the summer is a t-shirt. These bright options are comfortable and cute. A quirky necklace amps up the style.
- I included an old-fashioned fainting sofa in a sunny hue. It would be awesome to have one sitting in my entry, because sometimes it really is that hot.
hydrangea photo from mamako7070raspberry lemonade from Joy the Baker
woven picnic basket from Target
tomatoes photo from gwen
t-shirts from Old Navy
bubblegum necklace from Anthropologie
fainting sofa from Urban Outfitters
July 3, 2009
Friday Favorite: Independence Day
I’m trying something a little different with Friday Favorites. Instead of talking about one blog every week, I’ll start to share some of my favorite finds from around the web. Some weeks will still feature a blog I just have to tell you about, but I like the flexibility of posting different things I’m loving at the moment.
Since tomorrow is Independence Day, this Friday Favorite is all about easy and quick ways to dress your tables and buffets for a patriotic feast. And, they really are easy peasy – all you have to do is download and print, or decorate pieces you already have with a little red, white and blue.
I adore the classic style of this (1) picnic from Country Living. It reminds me of summer days at my grandparents complete with picnic table, flags and pickup truck.
With this great idea from A Soft Place to Land, everything guests need to dig in are all in one place – silverware, bandana napkin and mason drinking jar (2).
Talk about last minute! What could be simpler than printing out one of these 4th of July party sets from (3) Twig & Thistle (matchbook wrappers, drink tags and labels for sparklers) and (4) Paper and Cake (complete tablescape).
Give any cake stand festive flair with red, white and blue crepe paper bunting (5) from Better Homes and Gardens.
This cookie pizza (6) from Pillsbury is simple to put together, pretty to look at and even better to eat.
Finally, these cupcakes were intended for Father's Day but are oh-so-perfect for any summer grilling. I didn't put them on the board, but I just had to include them in my favorites this week, because who doesn't love cupcakes, especially when they are this amazing. fyi:These are still easy to make; they use packaged ingredients.
Hamburger cupacakes and (sugar cookie!) fries from Bakerella...
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Since tomorrow is Independence Day, this Friday Favorite is all about easy and quick ways to dress your tables and buffets for a patriotic feast. And, they really are easy peasy – all you have to do is download and print, or decorate pieces you already have with a little red, white and blue.
I adore the classic style of this (1) picnic from Country Living. It reminds me of summer days at my grandparents complete with picnic table, flags and pickup truck.With this great idea from A Soft Place to Land, everything guests need to dig in are all in one place – silverware, bandana napkin and mason drinking jar (2).
Talk about last minute! What could be simpler than printing out one of these 4th of July party sets from (3) Twig & Thistle (matchbook wrappers, drink tags and labels for sparklers) and (4) Paper and Cake (complete tablescape).
Give any cake stand festive flair with red, white and blue crepe paper bunting (5) from Better Homes and Gardens.
This cookie pizza (6) from Pillsbury is simple to put together, pretty to look at and even better to eat.
Finally, these cupcakes were intended for Father's Day but are oh-so-perfect for any summer grilling. I didn't put them on the board, but I just had to include them in my favorites this week, because who doesn't love cupcakes, especially when they are this amazing. fyi:These are still easy to make; they use packaged ingredients.
Hamburger cupacakes and (sugar cookie!) fries from Bakerella...
Happy 4th of July everyone!
July 2, 2009
Talking About My Inspiration With...Sandy Ng
Sandy Ng of Cookie Cutter gives us her thoughts for this week's Talking About My Inspiration. She calls it {inspiration} her "Aha!" moment when everything starts falling into place, but also doesn't hesitate to talk about when she needs to be inspired the most.
I love the point Sandy brings up about needing to step away from a task, to stop searching and let inspiration find you. With so many influences from magazines, blogs, bookshops, artists, etc., it's easy to become overloaded with things that inspire. Take it from Sandy. Go do something else when you feel the creative juices have just stopped.
On her blog, Cookie Cutter, Sandy covers all things design, personal projects, experiences from Japan and, my personal favorite, wedding planning (don't miss her wedding series or wedding journal). She writes with a unique perspective, and I know you'll enjoy reading about Sandy's inspirations here today and on her blog.
Sandy's dear grandmother passed away recently, yet she was kind enough to participate in this series. A very special thank you to Sandy and a special prayer as you move through this difficult time.
Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
Inspiration is when I get the “aha!” moment, my heart beats a little faster, related ideas start to pop up and swim around in my head, and I get all excited. It translates into energy in me and I usually can’t wait to put this energy into action.
Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Blogging! Ha ha, being a blogger, this is the first thing that comes to my mind. I’m sure fellow bloggers out there understand this because coming up with interesting posts everyday is no easy feat. I want to share with my readers content that appeals to myself and to them, and that hasn’t been blogged by just about everyone else. The greater challenge is to make the post my own, containing my own voice. I know it myself when my post is not a great one. And I usually feel awful about it. That said, I do enjoy blogging, discovering beautiful finds and it’s always wonderful when readers respond and comment. I read every one of them.
When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
I first need to step away from my laptop to take my mind off what I was trying to do (also to ease the by-then achy shoulders!). Doing things totally unrelated, e.g. jog, snack, watch the TV, etc., helps. I find that at moments like these, if I just stop focusing on trying to churn ideas, they naturally come to me through these various other activities. I get to derive inspiration from everyday things around me and my daily life.
I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I have been wanting to have an inspiration board for ages, especially after seeing all the beautiful ones out there. Sometimes I think I want things too perfect that I never start doing it at all (it’s lame, I know). But I do have magazines, printed materials, fabric, etc. stashed away in a corner in my room. I also have a journal which I jot down not only creative ideas and plans but just about everything else. Recently, I started a wedding journal and I’ve been having fun with it! I’m glad I did it because it not only contains inspirational ideas but also serves to document my own planning process.
What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?
I love the point Sandy brings up about needing to step away from a task, to stop searching and let inspiration find you. With so many influences from magazines, blogs, bookshops, artists, etc., it's easy to become overloaded with things that inspire. Take it from Sandy. Go do something else when you feel the creative juices have just stopped.
On her blog, Cookie Cutter, Sandy covers all things design, personal projects, experiences from Japan and, my personal favorite, wedding planning (don't miss her wedding series or wedding journal). She writes with a unique perspective, and I know you'll enjoy reading about Sandy's inspirations here today and on her blog.
Sandy's dear grandmother passed away recently, yet she was kind enough to participate in this series. A very special thank you to Sandy and a special prayer as you move through this difficult time.
Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
Inspiration is when I get the “aha!” moment, my heart beats a little faster, related ideas start to pop up and swim around in my head, and I get all excited. It translates into energy in me and I usually can’t wait to put this energy into action.
Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Blogging! Ha ha, being a blogger, this is the first thing that comes to my mind. I’m sure fellow bloggers out there understand this because coming up with interesting posts everyday is no easy feat. I want to share with my readers content that appeals to myself and to them, and that hasn’t been blogged by just about everyone else. The greater challenge is to make the post my own, containing my own voice. I know it myself when my post is not a great one. And I usually feel awful about it. That said, I do enjoy blogging, discovering beautiful finds and it’s always wonderful when readers respond and comment. I read every one of them.
When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
I first need to step away from my laptop to take my mind off what I was trying to do (also to ease the by-then achy shoulders!). Doing things totally unrelated, e.g. jog, snack, watch the TV, etc., helps. I find that at moments like these, if I just stop focusing on trying to churn ideas, they naturally come to me through these various other activities. I get to derive inspiration from everyday things around me and my daily life.
I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I have been wanting to have an inspiration board for ages, especially after seeing all the beautiful ones out there. Sometimes I think I want things too perfect that I never start doing it at all (it’s lame, I know). But I do have magazines, printed materials, fabric, etc. stashed away in a corner in my room. I also have a journal which I jot down not only creative ideas and plans but just about everything else. Recently, I started a wedding journal and I’ve been having fun with it! I’m glad I did it because it not only contains inspirational ideas but also serves to document my own planning process.
What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?
- blogs/websites
- magazines
- my experiences
- my family and friends
- books, bookshops, indie lifestyle shops
July 1, 2009
The Perfect Summer Plates
As I worked on yesterday's summer picnic inspiration board, I really wanted to include plates. The problem was that there were so many to choose from, so I decided to do a little round up instead.
All of these options are melamine, which seems to be a hot material right now. Every magazine I flip through is featuring these durable, inexpensive plates. I can see why. They come in tons of colors and patterns. They are great for outdoor entertaining, and you can even personalize them.
Here are just a few of my favorite picks for summer. There a many more styles available, just click on the links below.
1. floral dinner plate by Boatman Geller from Fine Stationery
2. stripes dinner plate from Jonathan Adler
3. pink paisley plate from French Bull
4. aviary plate from Thomas Paul
5. purple flower salad plate from Target
6. orange flower plate from Crate and Barrel
7. birdcage plate from Fred Flare
8. striped dinner plate from Freddy & Ma (choose from different patterns and colors to create your own plate)
All of these options are melamine, which seems to be a hot material right now. Every magazine I flip through is featuring these durable, inexpensive plates. I can see why. They come in tons of colors and patterns. They are great for outdoor entertaining, and you can even personalize them.
Here are just a few of my favorite picks for summer. There a many more styles available, just click on the links below.
1. floral dinner plate by Boatman Geller from Fine Stationery
2. stripes dinner plate from Jonathan Adler
3. pink paisley plate from French Bull
4. aviary plate from Thomas Paul
5. purple flower salad plate from Target
6. orange flower plate from Crate and Barrel
7. birdcage plate from Fred Flare
8. striped dinner plate from Freddy & Ma (choose from different patterns and colors to create your own plate)
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