swanky on a monday
image source
4.18.2011
image source
1.17.2011
it's been a while
Well I'm back. Yeah I went out of town last week but I mean I'm really back. You know. To the blog. I have been MIA for some time taking care of business and handling the surge in projects that have traipsed in. Don't get me wrong; I am stoked and so thankful that 2011 is off to an amazing start for me and my design company! But, well, I have neglected this creative, must needed outlet of mine, this blog. I have been doing some thinking and there will be a few cool updates for this hangout, all which I am excited about and all which will continue to support the blog's focus of celebrating an inspired life. AND, since this blog is a companion to my design business and as I truly believe that design is part of celebrating an inspired life, there will be loads more design driven info and advice and pictures and content in the posts to come. I can't wait!
Oh and how great are these views from my plane window en route home?! I love how as we headed further west the clouds split up and went from smushed up cotton to tiny little wisps.
And since it's Monday, please stop by and say hi and leave a link to your blog below so I/we can do the same! Here's to a fantastic week!
11.29.2010
'tis the holiday season...
I will be hustling to get some new pieces added to the shop for the holidays as well as knocking out some design projects that are wrapping up by end of year. Throw in some gift making and gift wrapping and I am one over busy gal. But it keeps me out of trouble.
Any big plans or to-do lists this week? Say hi and post a link to your blog below!
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11.22.2010
holiday countdown (& happy monday!)
OK so first, happy Monday! Why does the year start moving along faster when the holidays hit? It's like Summer then all of a sudden we are eating turkey dinner. It blows my mind. I got some baking to knock out this week and on the agenda: pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, chocolate something or other .... but it will all be done with love. (mostly).
Yay for the short week too right? Got lots to tackle this week but thoughts of holiday imbibing and stuffing my face makes me happy and thankful and of course the presence of family too. :)
Thanksgiving is such a special time for me and how different it is now that I have my own family and am beginning new traditions. Since my side of the family is back in the Midwest, me and the hubs swap every year between a Thanksgiving visit and a Xmas visit there so every year brings different memories with a different setting. This year we stay in San Diego for turkey day, so a bit warmer Thanksgiving for sure.
What do you have planned?
P.S. share a link to your blog home below!
11.15.2010
monday meet and greet, making preparations
Hello! I'm looking forward to tackling my ever growing to do list this week. Work is busy, busy, new projects are on the boards, new endeavors are growing and the holidays are fast approaching!!! I have been brainstorming ideas for homemade holiday cards, gift wrapping, and the gifts themselves for this season. There is something so special and warm about a thoughtful, unique homemade gift. Read a tasteful homemade gift, hence my careful brainstorming and planning. Believe me, I could have several posts worth of stories of homemade gifts gone bad in which a loved one or myself has been the lucky recipient. Maybe a seasonal upcoming blog series? :)
I love this photo above. How nostalgic and clever to send handmade stationery in an old fashioned air mailer all wrapped in twine? It has me thinking about fun possibilities for this year's holiday greetings..
Do you have any unique ideas for the holidays this year or wrapping, gifting tips?
And I almost forgot, it's Monday so please say hi and introduce yourself if you haven't already. We'd love to visit your place!
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11.08.2010
monday meet and greet, come say hi!
Happy Monday! I had a great weekend and am looking forward to the week ahead (kind of ). It's going to be a busy one and there is some fun stuff happening that will be nice to share these next few days. I don't know about you, but how sweet is this little shed? I think it would make my work this week a bit more bearable if I was in there instead...
Since it's been a while since we had a Monday Meet and Greet, be sure to say hi and leave a link to your blog below so we can swing by your place too. Next Monday will be a extra special meet and greet and you'll meet one of my favorite friends who also happens to have a sweet l'il blog too...
Talk soon!
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11.01.2010
I'm baaacck! And I'm an addict.
Last week was a busy, hard week for me and I discovered something about myself. Well maybe I always knew this particular thing but I hadn't given it much thought before.
The whole time I was studying (painfully I might add), in between the building codes, I mostly thought about how lovely it was going to be when it was over and I could just relax and laze and enjoy a day or two without any agendas. But who is fooling who here?! I don't know what to do with myself if I don't have a list to attend to. I'm starting to realize a little begrudgingly that I thrive a bit on "busy". I've figured out that I'm a restless, anxious mess when I don't have a slew of projects and tasks on my plate. It's an unfortunate truth really. BUT, like everything, it's about balance. And just having to focus solely on work and side projects without the addition of studying is a relief. More importantly, I have learned that if I could squeeze in 6+ hours a day to study when it was my priority then I can allot the same for my family and personal goals which is/should be my constant and most important "task".
{Image by John Horton}
10.18.2010
celebrating the inspired life - Ana from Live & Enliven
First of all, I just want to thank Michelle for inviting me to share on her blog. I am about to rant about what inspires me and yet Michelle is one of my main online sources of inspiration. Being in contact with people who want to be inspired and to inspire others is simply amazing.
There are so many things that inspire me in life but I have to admit I am most inspired by my daughter. Even before she was born she brought so much more color and purpose to my life. I find that the small things in life have the biggest effect in the way I do things. I love nature, colors and shapes but mostly things that money can’t buy, like a sunset walk on the promenade or experiencing the changes of each season.
I also find people in general to be inspiring, even some that are not in the least bit interested in art. I admire the way people talk, the way they nurture others, the way they smile and most of all the way they live, trying to make their lives as beautiful as they can, with whatever they have at hand.
Some days are tough… and I feel completely drained of inspiration. I know then that I need to stop and take time out for myself, even if it is just to read a few pages of a book or sit on the floor to play with my daughter.
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I get through those uninspiring days by looking at the boards I've hung all over my house, in the kitchen, in the office, on my closet's door... And I succeed most of the time, except when I am so physically tired that my brain needs a real break to jumpstart again.
I usually post quotes, photos, magazine scraps or bring items that inspire me to my office… which is basically a wooden box with a woven mat and two comfortable pillows. I sit on the floor because I like it this way and I try to keep things related to what I need inspiration for close. These days it's been difficult to get into the kitchen and plan something creative, so I brought in some cook books… and diaries (in case of a sudden and miraculous flow of new recipes), food related magazine scraps and my little plant that I love.
I have a guitar that I can see through the corner of my eye because I want to learn to play. I also want to get back to painting and so I have a piece of “modern art” that Emma-Pearl made when she was only a year and 9 months old (As I said my daughter is my biggest inspiration). Sometimes I just have Emma there and it's fun because she loves what I do, especially if it has to do with illustrations.
Having all these things there remind me that one can always make time for all the things you love in life.
I celebrate the inspired life by creating beautiful things to the best of my ability, whether it is a birthday party for Emma, a handmade gift for a friend or just a nice supper for me and my two loves (hubby and Emma). I love to get inspiration from all kinds of sources and interpret it my own way, with a bit of latin spice and a ton of love.
I always wonder what people find inspiring? How do you celebrate the inspired life?... Do share!
Thanks again, Michelle!
xo
{images by Ana Degenaar}
If you haven't already, be sure to stop by Ana's blog. Like me, I think you'll find it a quick favorite and a place of inspiration.
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I usually post quotes, photos, magazine scraps or bring items that inspire me to my office… which is basically a wooden box with a woven mat and two comfortable pillows. I sit on the floor because I like it this way and I try to keep things related to what I need inspiration for close. These days it's been difficult to get into the kitchen and plan something creative, so I brought in some cook books… and diaries (in case of a sudden and miraculous flow of new recipes), food related magazine scraps and my little plant that I love.
I celebrate the inspired life by creating beautiful things to the best of my ability, whether it is a birthday party for Emma, a handmade gift for a friend or just a nice supper for me and my two loves (hubby and Emma). I love to get inspiration from all kinds of sources and interpret it my own way, with a bit of latin spice and a ton of love.
I always wonder what people find inspiring? How do you celebrate the inspired life?... Do share!
Thanks again, Michelle!
xo
{images by Ana Degenaar}
If you haven't already, be sure to stop by Ana's blog. Like me, I think you'll find it a quick favorite and a place of inspiration.
10.11.2010
monday meet and greet, an Autumn Party
Good morning! I hope every one had a fantastic weekend! Mine was kicked off with my weekly estate sale-ing/thrifting adventure with Bianca. We stumbled upon an estate sale on our way to Matilda's Mouse. I scored some great finds - an old wire basket and some old fashioned Ball mason jars that will be perfect for storing knick-knacks or tea lights for the patio. Speaking of Ball jars, I also tagged along with Bianca and Grace to a fantastic store opening for Bixby and Ball in Solana Beach. It was a super fun night with champagne, treats, and beautiful objects and trinkets in an even more beautiful setting. I can't wait to do some more shopping there for upcoming projects...
Fall is here and I am looking forward to the get-togethers with friends and family during all the upcoming holidays. And in the spirit of Autumn gatherings, feel free to say hi and leave a link to your blog below so that we can come hang out at your place for a bit. Also, tell us, what are some of your favorite ways to welcome Fall? Is it a seasonal recipe, a unique tradition?
Next week's meet and greet will be all about celebrating an inspired life and discovering how some of my favorite people do just that. I can't wait to chat with one of my favorite blog friends and sharing her thoughts on the topic with you.
Talk soon!
10.04.2010
monday meet and greet - class reunion!
Well it's just right out ridiculous what we're up to today. Ridiculously funny! Last week I begged and threatened some of my blog friends to post senior pics in celebration of all things geek and my love for Glee. Plus it's a fun way to get to know one another. Actually, it's an opportunity to laugh our hind ends off at the expense of one another. I am a little alarmed that after several years and a slew of different hairstyles (read blonde pixie cut), I found my way back to a style similar to the one I had my senior year! What?! And these pics are clearly pre-eyeliner and eyebrow maintenance. I sort of miss the gold herringbone chain too. I was proud to be a band geek and a bookworm. It's all in fun and without further babble, here are my fellow classmates. Meet the class of ,....ahem:
Michelle (me) at Studio Surface
Beth at Hello Splendor
Estelle at Under a Pink Moon
Danielle at Elleinad Spir
Torrie at A Place to Share
Swing by to say hi, grab some punch, and reconnect with some blog friends.
{images by Studio Surface, notebook paper}
9.29.2010
don't be scared
Ok. So next Monday's Meet and Greet theme may be a bit over the top. But. It's so stinkin' funny that I can't help myself. Surely none of the high school pics out there compare to these. I laugh until I choke every time I look at these pics that I created on yearbookyourself.com. I think the funniest part is that the hair is pretty crooked in each one and you can see my ghost bangs in all. Or the fact that I look like a hybrid of Michael Jackson and a unabomber in the bottom row second in.
So, I hope you're not scared and join in the silly meet and greet next week. It's an online class reunion of sorts and it's all in good fun. If you're in, let me know below and I'll add you to the list of crazies. :)
P.S. don't mind the crooked Photoshop attempt at a yearbook page above.
9.27.2010
monday meet and greet, let's spread the blog love
Happy Monday friends! You know what's crazy?! I actually look forward to Monday's now because of the Monday "Meet and Greets". Last week was a total blast with the "meet and greet recipe exchange" and once again I met so many awesome bloggers through the tour around the blogosphere hopping from one blog home to the next. Thanks to everyone who joined in! It was so much fun that I think we'll do a recipe exchange theme again in a couple weeks time. I love the community of friends and creatives that is forming; it's really a small world and it's quite fascinating to discover how everyone is connected!
In the spirit of creating connections, please say hi and leave a link to your blog "home" below so that all can stop by your place for a visit.
Now for next week's "meet and greet" let's try something new....I love some old school tunes (Journey is my favorite band and I don't care who knows it) and I love the series Glee so much it hurts my heart. It brings back some great memories of H.S. Sort of. Unfortunately band and choir weren't considered very cool back in my day when I was rockin' the two. I was a band geek and in the H.S. musicals and proud of it. :) For those of you confident enough to put yourself out there... I want to see some good ole' senior pics. Yes!!!! I'm being completely serious. In honor of Glee and all things geek, let's have an online class reunion and share our choice photos from back in the day. I ain't scurred and I hope you aren't either. If you think you have the chutzpah, let me know and I'll email you the deets for next week's gig. Don't make me hunt you down. I'm laughing just thinking about it! Can't wait!
9.20.2010
meet and greet recipe exchange - stuck cake
stuck cake
Welcome to the Meet and Greet Recipe Exchange! Fall is just around the corner and with it the smells of spices and baked goods wafting from my kitchen. I love a good recipe exchange and so I, along with some of my fave bloggy friends are sharing some of our favorites today. Be sure to visit all the lovely ladies below (after the recipe) to join in the fun and collect some new faves! The Stuck Cake is so simple and yummy. It's a fun dessert for your family or a rustic but elegant choice for company. Keep in mind though that it's best shared from the pan....
You'll Need:
Shallow Cake Pan, 9-12 inches round
9 ounces chocolate (semisweet or bittersweet works well)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups sugar
Preheat oven to 350 F
How to:
Melt the chocolate and butter in microwave or in a bowl over hot water. If in microwave, stop frequently to stir and to prevent burning. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until mixture is pale. Combine the chocolate mixture with the egg mixture. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. A little tip: use a hand mixer. If you try to whisk by hand to prove a point like I did the first time I made this cake, you will be whisking for three days and sustain permanent wrist damage.
Lightly fold the peaks into the chocolate mixture. Pour into your cake pan and bake for approx. 20 minutes. Note that the cake will rise and then fall leaving a crunchy crust around the edges of the pan.
Don't bother turning the cake out of the pan because it won't! This simple cake is meant to be dug into while warm and shared. Enjoy!!!
{I have used this recipe several times with success. It hails from "Chocolate" by Trish Deseine}
Recipe Exchange Friends:
Ana from Live & Enliven
Estelle from Under a Pink Moon
Bianca from Bink and Boo
Damaris from Kitchen Corners
Suzie from Cupcake Monkey
Susan from House of Brinson
Be sure to visit all of the ladies!
P.S. This recipe is a kick-off for some new stuff happening on the blog. More to come this week with a new series "bake" (see "the regulars" on the side bar) and fun guests!
P.S. This recipe is a kick-off for some new stuff happening on the blog. More to come this week with a new series "bake" (see "the regulars" on the side bar) and fun guests!
9.13.2010
monday meet and greet, what's next...
So, I'm hosting a Blogger Recipe Exchange for next Monday's Meet and Greet. If you would like to participate (and I hope you do!) just let me know in your comment below or shoot me an email. Then I will email you back the deets. Next week's Recipe Exchange Meet and Greet will also be the kick-off for some fun new things for the blog including a new series and some upcoming fun guest posts.....Exciting stuff! 'Till next time...
8.30.2010
our very first progressive meet and greet!
Good morning and happy Monday friends! Welcome to the first progressive "meet and greet" party. I'm elated to participate with some of my favorite blogger friends. It's nice to meet new people in the blogosphere isn't it? And it's even lovelier to be able to support and connect with one another instead of competing with one another in this often/sometimes blog eat blog world. I want you to meet several of my friends today and as in a progressive supper, this meet and greet party is about swinging by and visiting for a spell at each blog "home". Say hi, hand out some blog love and kind words and meet the blogs that are inspiring me right now. The next stop in this progressive party is over at Candidy Red. Please stop by and visit Kristen. I adore her blog and I think you will too!
Here are the lovely ladies sharing their homes today:
Kristen from Candidly Red
Beth at Hello Splendor
Chanee from {Me} Longings
Estelle from Under a Pink Moon
Bianca from Bink and Boo
Taru from Sort of Pink
Kathe from The Art of Kathe Fraga
Ana from Live and Enliven
It's a fun group this Monday morning so go introduce yourself!
8.23.2010
a progressive meet and greet - something new is a brewin'
image through Pinterest
Happy Monday Friends! Welcome to today's "meet and greet". You know the drill - say hi below and leave a link to your blog "home" so that we can swing by your place and visit a while. Keep checking back to meet new friends or be sure to set up your comment so that you are notified when new friends say hi below.
Since Monday "meet and greet" is all about meeting new friends and hanging out at lovely blog "homes", I thought next Monday we would try something a little different. Remember progressive dinners? You know, where you visit one friend's home for appetizers then move on to the next home for dinner, then dessert...etc. etc. Well how fun would it be to have a progressive "meet and greet"?!
Here is how it will work: I invite my blog friends to join in. We will start out at my place then I will send everyone to blog home #2 who will send friends on to blog home #3 and so on. Each friend will be sure to mention the previous friend and then send everyone on to the next friend's home until a full round of stops have been made.
Will you join in? Let me know in your comment below if you would like to participate for next week!
8.16.2010
monday meet and greet, introduce yourself!
Image through Pinterest
Happy Monday again friends!!! I love the weekly meet and greets! I have met some wonderful people these past few weeks and it just gets better each week. Be sure to say hi and introduce yourself and your blog so we can swing by your place and say hi back! We can pretend we are having tea at this pretty tree stump party. Wouldn't you love to be there right now?!
Talk soon!
8.09.2010
monday meet and greet, let's hang out for a bit!
Happy Monday! It's another meet and greet and I'm hoping to meet new friends today and say hi to some of my current sweet friends too. Please leave a link to your blog in your comment so that we can swing by your place and send a little blog love your way! And if you don't have a blog that's ok. Just let us know your favorite blog home to visit and we will check it out too!
8.02.2010
meet and greet - Aug. 2
I have met so many great people through the past six months of blogging and it seems that I meet someone new each and every day. Last week we had our first "meet and greet" alongside our lovely giveaway (winner announced later today!) to celebrate 100 posts into this blogging experiment. What started out as a "I'll give it a shot" turned into a full blown actual blog! Anyhoo, back to the matter at hand, we are hoping that our li'l Monday meet and greets will create a fun, laid-back place to meet new blogger friends and well just say hi. No "hello my name is" name tags or business cards or crappy appetizers. Just a simple hello and where we can find you online so we can hang out at your place too. And who knows? If all goes well, maybe we do a progressive meet and greet at different places each Monday. Or, I play hostess for a while. I don't mind. :) Say hi and and leave a link to your blog and if you don't have one, well just name one you think we all should check out.
{Image Credit: shrink rapping blog}
7.26.2010
celebrating 100 - our first giveaway & "meet & greet"!
We are celebrating "100"! If you didn't hear this morning (ok it's not like it was on the news, but..) we arrived at our 100th post! I feel pretty good about it and can't believe that we hit 100! To celebrate, we are hosting our first giveaway on our blog and offering a piece from the Studio Surface shop! This is my absolute favorite necklace that I wear with everything. Seriously, I think everyone is getting tired of seeing me wearing it. This little treasure is handcrafted by Jake out of black and white ebony and strung with gold fill chain.
We also thought it would be fun to host a blog "meet and greet" if you will. I have met so many great bloggers since I started and love meeting more! If it goes well, it is something we would like to do every month. So, here is how to enter the giveaway AND participate in our first blog "meet and greet":
one. participate in our first "meet and greet" by saying hi and leaving a comment with your name and blog if you have one. If you don't have a blog, that's ok, just leave a link to your favorite blog that you think everyone should check out!
two. become a friend of our blog and start following the fun! Just follow to the right. Make sure to also leave a comment below letting us know you did so we can add your name to the giveaway bowl.
three. we have been having a great time on twitter too meeting and chatting with folks. So, hang out with us on Twitter and follow our silliness and fun there too. Also leave a comment below so we know that you did!
four. finally, come say hi on Facebook and "like" our page. We love new friends and we have fun there too. Again, leave a comment below so we can say hi and "like" back.
Do one or all four of the above for more chances to receive our little treasure. I hope that you love the necklace as much as I do! Please note that due to the individual characteristics of wood, that each piece is unique and one of a kind.
{photography by John Ibriks}
This Giveaway is now closed.
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