little and lovely

I just had to post this shot of Trina's la la lovely children. Trina has another one on the way!

If you have a minute, please read Trina's guest post which I posted yesterday on my Monday mojo series. A mother of nearly four and she has time to contribute, to blog and to inspire and motivate each of us to look at the little things that make life lovely.

Please feel free to e-mail me to share your motivation. I will promise to post on mondays. It is a great way to begin the week with a bit of inspiration and motivation.

monday mojo series 5 - guest la la lovely

(Welcome guest motivator Trina, of la la lovely)

I often get asked how I stay inspired living where I live (small town in the middle of the country). I’m not sure I always know how to answer that. Sometimes I look for inspiration but mostly it just finds me.

I know, ideally, I shouldn’t be looking for inspiration on the screen of an electronic device but I do. And I have to say, that that is where I meet some form of inspiration every day. Reading blogs has opened a whole new world to me. It’s where I meet ideas, color, words, friends, design and magic almost daily. I always see something that makes my heart skip a beat and then another thing that I put in my pocket for a rainy day.

Words are another something that I can’t get enough of. Put this way they can mean one thing and put that way they can mean another thing. Sometimes it is a short story, a quote, or quirky comment that one of my children has made. If it something that hits me, I have to write it down. And when I do, I might find a word or two of my own.

Littles always add life, even when you think you already have more than enough of it. I have {almost} four little la la’s (as I call them) and they are always adding color to my world. Something they say, something they “don’t” mean to do and of course their giggles. It’s the sound of magic in the air.

And for me, when all else fails, one of my greatest forms of inspiration is just getting outside and talking a walk. Listening to music that makes me think, clearing my mind, saying a prayer and then just being quiet and listening.

And come to think of it . . . that is probably the greatest source of inspiration for me . . . just being quiet and listening. You’ll be amazed at what you can hear when you can’t hear anything at all.

Thank-you Trina and I wish you all the best with your new (almost) four little la la lovely family!

monday mojo series 4

WORK HARD

&

be

nice

to

people.

I love that this poster serves as a reminder hung above this desk.

Everyone would benefit from a little motivation like this, right?

image from source

Poster found here.

see jane run

Go see Jane run.

Run to see the movie Jane Eyre.

What a vivid movie to awake one's heart.

The fashions, the broody scenery and the story of love made my heart tremble.

Read this review.

It has been a fairy tale weekend.

First the royal wedding and then this royal classic love story.

open studio tour

Today is the annual open studio artists tour in the Rivertowns.

Here is list of artists for the 2011 tour.

Since my studio is being built, I look forward to being on the tour next year.

Above is the lovely artist Beverly Bader. I bought a wonderful painting from her last year.

Her work is playful, colorful and has a joyful spirit.

Art after all is all about expression and the tour is a great way to see so many types and styles of art right here in the Rivertowns.

sweetness

Today is a day of sweetness gracing the world full of love as we honor the royal couple. My eyes have been glued to the details, her dress, his smile, the flowers and all of the incredible pomp and circumstance. Thank-you to this sweet lady for sharing kindness today.

quaint

There is something far more appealing to me about walking and being able to shop at charming spots that resemble homes or cottages. Another J.McLaughlin shop is to open on the cape. It is not even May yet, and my mind wanders to thoughts of care-free summer days at the beach and casual wardrobes for vacation on the coast.

brassy pair

I have been on the prowl for a metal brassy pair of swing arm sconces for my new master bedroom.

Even a little polish can make the most undecorated mattress on the floor suddenly look hip.

Loving this one. I found a brassy pair today.

and this bossy brassy vintage one found on 1st dibs.

How do you feel about a little silver shiny or brassy friend to light up in your home?

Silver or brass?

studio self

I found lighting and lots of bright ideas for my studio self.

I am feeling very selfish but please know that I plan to share my space with students and clients.

Love these for a splash of color, but my space will be mostly white....and my pve green.

tables, zinc metal - hmm, white or red!

space to spread out....

chairs and stocked shelves for

supplies and design books.

Metal bins and

boxes for storage.

Chairs for students and clients. e-z to stack and store.

folding chairs might be an option too.

metal boards for inspirations and notes to self.

What do you love in your office?

Sun-shine

The Sun is out shining bright this afternoon and I thought I would share a new illustration of a new J.McLaughin store to open in Delray, Fl. This was a fun sketch to do and I love this bright cheery sunny yellow!