friday frame of mind

Desk of Charlotte Moss

I usually send all the artwork I do finished with a mat, ready to frame - however I had to send one without and the client posed this question;

"What sort of frame and mat would you choose?"

Well, let me answer firstly by saying that this is very personal and it depends of course on your decor. I am a lover of the rich thick archival museam mat in a sort of slight tinted gray or a hint of the palest color and then the frame is like an accessory. There are plain and fancy frames, wooden, black, gold, antiqued and it all depends on your own style. I do love a collection of individual frames or a wall of frames that were framed to match.

Tell me, what sort of frame of mind or frame in your mind is your favorite on this friday?

Categorically speaking

T'is Fashion Week in New York at Lincoln Center and the themes or categories from the collections are shaping up as follows; The above look is noted as "Urban Warrior." Lots of dark or light clean architectural lines for cities that require clothes for combat. Now where does that leave the suburban soldier like me to brave the elements?

Perhaps "The Great Outdoors" is my category.

A little bit military mod mixed with a melange of crunchy and tactile textures, for your next great outdoors adventure. I have always loved the great outdoors and the ability to look sporty while walking my dog or pumping gas.

"Eccentric Ladylike"

Now have you ever met a lady with eccentricities and quirks that you just wanted to emulate?

This category appealed to me because it has a "grown up" vibe about it.

After all that "urban warrior" and "great outdoors gal" needs a bit of softness and the "eccentric lady" in my book never really ever goes out of fashion.

These are just a few of the categories for Fall 2010.

Categorically speaking, which one of these talks to you or do you have another out-fit?

Urban Warrior

Great Outdoors

Eccentric Ladylike

self-kindness challenge

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete

~Buddha

One area that is so important is to challenge oneself to a bit of self-kindness.

Join me in a self-kindness challenge!

I hope you sign up for this wonderful challenge at the calm space, here.

What are you waiting for?

Need I remind you that you must give yourself the oxygen first!

pug in a pea

I could not resist illustrating this "pug in a pea coat" which I spotted over here.

Rover has a blog too.

Pea jackets and pugs just seem to be in vogue.

I added this bias stripe edge to give it a sailor flair.

Is there a pet in your life that requires a new classic fashion and an illustration?

What sort of fall fashion would your pet wear?

ladies and gentleman

I love hearing about store openings, especially during this new economy and I really love opening an invitation to come shop and seeing my illustration front and center. If you happen to find yourself in Manhattan on the upper east side, pop in to the newly opened J.McLaughlin Ladies and Gentleman's stores on 72nd street. Shopping is good for the economy, right?

desk-bound

Today, many children shall be "desk-bound" as they start the new school year.

During my day, I too shall spend bits bound to my desk or table to work on some new projects.

Nothing like a fresh start and a modern desk from which to work.

seven, B&B Italia 2008 - images from design traveller

going the distance

At my age, a medal of any sorts is welcome! Just back from a 5 K run with my 11 year old daughter who won a gold medal, first in her age and I won a bronze! I hope that each of you feel inspired to take on a "wellness" challenge and feel motivated to get in shape! It is the start of school and we can all learn from each other to keep going the distance to meet our personal best goals!

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken. ~Bill Dodds

Happy Labor Day to each of you !

Sunday girl

Loving this cover. Hope you are having a smooth sunday with little or no turbulence.

image from The cover lover

saturday secrets

I did say I was signing off, but before I go, let me share a few saturday secrets.

clever secrets, silly.

It's no secret that times are changing. I wish I had one of these items when I had babies.

Quite a splash on any counter. It is a bottle dry station. The brush is hidden in the center for cleaning the bottles. ("Splash" found at target)

I found one of these Moleskines. It will be my back-to-school wellness note-book.

A beautiful box of these jewels arrived and the designer blogs here on monkey grass hill.

The stones have secret wellness wishes.

My secret stash for gifting. Shhh, please don't give-away all my secrets.

Great gifts for teachers, friends, family.

This sweet blog gal had a small swell birthday at home.

Just thought I would let you "be in on a few secrets."

I was never very good at keeping secret finds all to myself.

Would you like Saturday secrets to be a weekly post or shall I just keep it a secret?